#64 A Proper Education for Girls by Elaine Di Rollo. This book contains "Victorian eccentricities" and Victorian double standards, as the back cover relates. And, boy, were the Victorians ever bizarre. The Talbot girls, Lillian and Alice (surviving triplets) are separate by their overpowering father. Lillian is exiled to live with a missionary in India because of her unspeakable behavior. Alice is left to catalog and care for the father's museum of oddities and whims called The Collection and her ancient aunts. The girls try to get back together even though their father has banned all form of communication. Alice is not only a prisoner in her father's home, but is a prisoner to the outrages of misguided male medical theories. Lillian uses her cunning to escape India. Both girls conquer the forces of repression as they use their resources to tame the tiger.

A great book to end the year.

#63 Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls. Did you read The Glass Castle? It was good, but one of the most disturbing books I have read. Jeannette Walls takes the reader back to her Grandmother, Lily's, life. This woman survives tornadoes, droughts, floods, the Great Depression, and personal tragedy. She goes from a dugout and breaking horses to Catholic boarding school in Santa Fe. She rides horseback 500 miles across Arizona to her first teaching job at fifteen, goes to Chicago where she is a maid and is married to a crum-bum, goes back out West to teach, remarries, gets a college degree, and learns to fly an airplane. Not all in that order, but those are some of the highlights. She is straight talking, hardworking, and resourceful. She raises two children with her husband, Big Jim, on a gigantic ranch in Arizona. One of these children is Jeannette Walls' mother, Rose Mary Smith Walls (one half broke horse) who ended up eating out of a New York City dumpster in The Glass Castle.

This story of Jeannette's grandmother had so much humor and adventure and hope, unlike The Glass Castle. It also reminded me of my dear friend, Rebecca, who lives in New Mexico. I couldn't put the book down and spent each spare moment reading. I really liked the spunk and spirit of the story.

#62 La's Orchestra Saves the World by Alexander McCall Smith.

#61 Wicked by Gregory Maguire. This is an amazing book. And not what I thought it was going to be. Let, me back up. I have been listening to the soundtrack from the musical Wicked that my DIL gave me for Christmas. I have learned most of the words to the song and can't get them out of my head. I plan to go to see the musical in Toledo during my spring break. Anyway, I was really wrong about the characters and the plot when I started reading the book.

The book is full of philosophy, religion, politics, and of course, evil. The Wizard is not just a bumbling misplaced person as in WOO, he is a tyrant and really wicked. And, of all things, fathers a green child. Both witches are wicked. Glinda is not really as good as she is billed. And what about the red slippers? I don't want to give it all away.

So, if you don't like fantasy, put the book back. If you want the skinny on Oz and it's surrounding lands, you'll get the details. If you want to know about the Wicked Witch of the West, you'll better understand the reasons why. If you want to find out about the red slippers, read on.

I still love the music and can't wait to see the performance. But, it will never be the same since I have read the book.

#60 One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus. The author's note explains the idea for this story as the title suggests: " in 1854 at a peace conference at Fort Laramie, a prominent Northern Cheyenne chief requested of the U. S. Army authorities the gift of one thousand white women as brides for his young warriors." Of course, this didn't happen, but the author takes the idea and runs with it. And runs with it. And runs with it. Oh, and did I say, runs with it?

I really liked the idea, the character development, and the view of history ( especially since it wasn't the side mentioned in history books). However, somehow, I felt like the language didn't quite make it. I know the Irish girls had an accent and there was smigins of Indian language, but I felt like the characters were going to break into some modern talk. Can't really put my finger on it. Also, the story went on and on. I thought the author over stretched the possibilities. Again, I can't quite pinpoint when it should have stopped. But, hey, it's just my opinion.

I guess this is one you'll have to read to find out for yourself.

#59 Away by Amy Bloom. The back cover says'"Raunchy, funny, and touching. Away is and elegant window into the perils of self-invention and reinvention in New York in the 1930's. Amy Bloom's heroine, Lillian, is an unforgettable young woman on a quest to make her life whole and to belong in an unstable, yet fascinating, new American world," Caryl Phillips.

The story takes Lillian, the main character, from Russia to New York City after her family is destroyed in a Russian pogrom. Word comes that her daughter, Sophie, may still be alive, so the journey continues to Seattle and then to Alaska toward Siberia in an attempt to find her.

This story has interesting twists and turns and colorful characters. I had a hard time putting the book down.

#58 Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout. This book is the winner of the Pulitzer Prize and I can understand why. Olive Kitteridge's character is developed from all directions and from many perspectives and relationships. Olive has many sides, as we all do, and is harsh, lovable, misunderstood, insightful, secretive, tragic, and hopeful. The world view comes from a small town in Maine. The lives in this small town could be what happens in any town. The author artfully spins and weaves the story to make a colorful tapestry of the human condition.

Olive could have been my neighbor and friend. I really enjoyed this story.

#57 the witch doctor's wife by Tamar Myers. Another book about Africa but set in the Congo. This was a fast read dealing with human relationships, a diamond, and a murder. The story has romance, racial prejudice, colonialism, religious intolerance, cultural intolerance, and all of the African plight, but it is done with a lighter hand, with humor and warmth. I found myself hurrying to the end to find out "who done it".

The story is based on the author's own experience and misunderstandings. What I thought was going to be a do gooder missionary story turned into a much more fun mystery especially when the witch doctor had more than one wife.

#56 Strength in What Remains by Tracy Kidder. Tracy Kidder, winner of the Pulitzer Prize, has written "an inspiring account of one man's remarkable journey and of the ordinary people who helped him- a brilliant testament to the power of will and of second chances."

Deo arrives in the US from Burundi with 2oo dollars in his pocket, no English, no one to meet him, and no place to go. He has survived civil war and genocide. He gets a job delivering groceries, ends up living in Central Park, and learns English from dictionaries in bookstores. Then, he begins meeting people who will help him. Kidder travels back to Africa with Deo in search of meaning and forgiveness.

The jacket says," an extraordinary writer, Tracy Kidder one again shows us what it means to be fully human by telling a story about the heroism inherent in ordinary people, a story about a life based on hope." The book was inspiring and, of course, very troubling.

#55 The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood. The ultimate survival book. Atwood creates the world after the plague has hit wiping out most of the population. And, it's pretty believable-maybe not the animal spliced creatures like the Mo'Hairs and the pigs with human brain tissue, but anyway, lots of survival methods, lots of gruesome violence, lots of interesting Saint's Days and traditions that evolve. Two women, Ren and Toby survive, and draw upon the teachings of God's Gardeners- a group devoted to the melding of science and religion. The bad are really bad and the good have to be cautious with no time to ponder the purpose of their existence or the why.

Atwood has done it up big with themes of the Earth after killing off the animals, corporate greed, science out of control, and the breakdown of society. Unfortunately, there are references to characters in her book, Oryx and Crake, which I haven't read. I think I'll wait awhile before I take it on. This was a definite page turner.

#54 The Calligrapher's Daughter by Eugenia Kim. This story is mixed with strong women, Korean tradition, war, and the trials of life moving from one generation to another. Kim has created interesting women characters in a traditional family setting. Sheridan Hay, on the back cover, says,"....Kim beautifully chronicles both the lost world of a traditional Korea and the lost childhood of her remarkable heroine."

This book made me consider a family's subtle ways of showing love, fear, encouragement, disgust, anger, and hope. Culture, place, and time would all play an important part. The difficulties of family life and tradition became strengths that helped this family survive war, separation, and all kinds of loss. I'm glad it had a happy ending.

#53 Notes from the Underwire- Adventures from my awkward and lovely life by Quinn Cummings. This book is described as "charming, hilarious, and just snarky enough to be ultimately satisfying" Jon Lancaster, author. I found it very funny. It's the Hollywood life of a former child star who finally is the grown-up. I laughed at her parenting skills, her homemaking skills, and her pet training skills. I chuckled at her do good attitude and its pitfalls. I shook my head at her descriptions of being fashionable and her obsession with scarves. Anyway, it was fast, funny, and a downright good time. Amanda, you will like this one.

#52 Say You're One of Them by Uwem Akpan. OMG, if you read this book, get ready for heavy-duty stuff. This is a collection of five stories set in Africa. The events are viewed through the eyes of children. The stories are sad with violent, racial and religious intolerance, and total breakdown of community and family. Akpan has captured the hell of war. This book is an Oprah Book Club pick and I can see why. With that, read it!

#51 The Elephant Keeper by Christopher Nicholson. With a setting of England in 1766, Tom, the main character, witnesses the arrival of two elephants at the Bristol ship docks. The elephants are in bad condition and are purchased by a wealthy sugar merchant who puts Tom in charge of caring for them. Tom's whole life revolves around the two elephants. Tom is persuaded to write a history of the elephant which he does through his own experiences. The story moves from lush countryside to London, where the elephant and Tom are part of a Menagerie with less than perfect conditions for any animal including humans. This is the story of love an loyalty between Tom and the elephants. Somehow it reminded me of Black Beauty. It was great to read something different.

#50 Of Bees and Mist by Erick Setiawan. Yes! I got another book done. Will I reach 100, NO.

Anyway, this story can best be described in the jacket: "... an engrossing fable that chronicles three generations of women under one family tree over a period of thirty years- their galvanic love and passion, their shifting alliances, their superstitions and complex domestic politics-and places them in a mythical town where spirits and spells, witchcraft and demons, and prophets and clairvoyance are an everyday reality." With that said, I sometimes found it hard to understand because of the shifts between reality and myth. I often felt that I had missed something. I liked the authors strange sense of story and descriptions and the ending. I think it is one of those books that you have to read to see if it suits you or not.

#49 hypocrite in a pouffy white dress by susan jane gilman. The subtitle reads: tales of growing up groovy and clueless. Gilman tells a funny, sad, bizarre, story of her life growing up an uncool white kid in a tough Puerto Rican neigborhood. Susan makes her own rules for behavior and hasn't a clue as to the consequences. As she struggles to get a life, she exhibits some very demented behaviors along the way. The book is shocking, frantic, and chronicles disfunction. I did enjoy the book and the somewhat happier ever after ending. Gilman definitely has an angel sitting on her shoulder. I''m surprised that she reached adulthood.

#48 Inkheart by Cornelia Funke was a fun read. It was a great fantasy intended for youth. I was ask to read the story for a library program. It has very compelling characters and a neat setting with distinct good and evil themes. The story revolves around a main character who can read a story to life. The bad characters are read into the world. The young daughter of the main character helps fight the evil, nasty, will do anything, bad guys. I thought the story went on a little too long, but maybe a young adult would find it interesting and exciting. The fun conclusion is that the book sale at school gave me a free book- Igraine the Brave by Cornelia Funke. How were they to know? I can't wait to read this new book.

# 47 A Guide to Quality, Taste, and Style by Tim Gunn. I love this kind of book. The book tells about finding one's own style, taste, and then buying the best quality possible. I always chuckle at myself since I love black. Now, according to Gunn, I should stick with it instead of fighting the urge to buy clothing other than black. The answer, accessorize with color. Gee, I knew that. And buying the best quality? Well, being an art teacher doesn't require clothing of top quality, just clothing that doesn't show paint and can be cleaned easily. Maybe that's another reason I favor black. Gunn also recommends buying cheap trendy accessories. That makes sense to me. But, I have one up on Gunn, I don't need trendy accessories. I don't need four or five purses. I do like jewelry and have been trying to upgrade with less but nicer earrings. I don't wear many necklaces, so I tend toward bracelets.

I love texture and fabrics, I love cashmere, and I think it would be great to have my hair cut and styled in New York City. Actually, in the end, I have really cut back on buying clothing. That is except for shoes. I have followed Gunn's advice for several years and my closet is pretty bear. It just means I can start over again. Really, the book had some good advice. And, it was a great diversion.

#46 What I thought I Knew by Alice Eve Cohen. After a nasty divorce, Alice is happy. She is raising her adopted daughter, living with a guy she will soon marry, and her career is taking off. Then at forty-four, after experiencing unusual symptoms, she is run through a number of tests, x-rays, prescribed hormone treatments, she is diagnosed with a tumor, but when she has a CAT scan, she finds she is six months pregnant.

This book is full of emotion, indecision, despair, misinformation from the medical world, and understandable depression. With no prenatal care and no insurance coverage, Alice goes back and forth between abortion and adoption. She is confronted with problems concerning the baby's gender and when delivered, the child is diagnosed with Russell-Silver Syndrome. This diagnosis presents a whole new set of problems. Can Alice love this child?

The story is very compelling and I cold clearly understand the moral dilemma Alice faced. Amazingly, it never made me cry. I guess that is because it isn't sentimental or sappy. Man, what an ordeal!

Book # 45 The Red Convertible by Louise Erdrich. Erdrich is one of my favorite authors. If you wish the mood and drama of an Indian reservation, she can produce vivid descriptions. I enjoy her humor and mix of old ways with modern. I have read every book she has written. If you want a snippet of one of her books, read this book. There are new stories and bits of former stories (I knew that when I got the book). But, OMG, this was long and I thought I would never finish. I still love Erdrich and her writing, but I will need to remind myself NOT to read collections or remakes. Didn't I just say this about Jane and Mr. Darcy? At least I didn't count this as two or three books- I'm so far behind in my read 100 books this year!!!

Book # 44 Cassandra & Jane by Jill Pitkeathley. Since I am an avid Jane Austen fan, I can never get enough of reading about her in novel form. This story is from the viewpoint of her older sister, Cassandra. The story runs true to the ideas Jane proposes in Pride and Prejudice and the other stories Jane wrote. For instance, the fact that women were expected to marry so someone could take care of them. If they were unmarried they were expected to take care of elderly parents, sibling's children, and run households especially when women died so frequently in childbirth. Her writing reflected the status of women. Jane and Cassandra become best friends as both suffer from painful romantic loss and total dependence on relatives. Of course, Jane's career as an author was frowned upon and it was a struggle to get her work published. Cassandra vows to keep her sister's image pristine and burns all correspondence that might be taken as negative. The two sisters share ideas, opinions, and secrets about love, loss, and the general family drama of women in this time period. Nothing too heavy or intellectual, so I really enjoyed this fast read.

Book #43 Stealing Buddha's Dinner by Bich Minh Nguyen. Growing up in Grand Rapids, Michigan would be difficult for an outsider, but even worse for a Vietnamese refugee. Bich, pronounced Bitch, escapes Vietnam with her father, grandmother, sister, and two uncles. They end up in GR where a community of Vietnamese refugees have settled. Bich guides us through her growing up as an American "wannabe" with all the pain of being an outsider. Much of the memories has to do with food: fast food, food Nori, her grandmother makes, Mexican food her stepmother, Rosa, cooks, food for Tet, food for lunches that would show you were cool at school, and food during her later visit to her family in Vietnam. She craves acceptance and can never get enough to eat. She hoards food, sneaks food, and is torn between each culture's food. This is a memoir of a child who grows up before mixed marriage and racial and ethnic diversity are celebrated. Being a Buddhist in GR would be difficult back in the 80's. I really wonder how accepting the community would be today? This book is a Michigan Reads selection. So, I read it.

Book # 42 Moloka'i by Alan Brennert. Seven year old Rachel wears long dresses and shoes to school to cover up the sores she has developed on her legs and feet. This is revealed when she has a fight with her sister at school. Thus starts her life as a leper. She is taken from her family and a normal childhood in Honolulu, Hawaii and is sent to the Leprosarium on Moloka'i. Her dreams of traveling the world like her father, a merchant seaman, are shattered. She is raised by nuns and has little contact with home because of the stigma and shame leprosy creates for the family. Most lepers live and die on the island where they are subjected to harsh and unjust treatment. Rachel finds love and family with Uncle Pono and gains a new family and community. The story is about life on the island, relationships, and the hardships of suffering from leprosy. Despite the disease, Rachel leads a full life including marriage and a child. The story includes Hawaiian religion and Catholicism, the caring and the superior, and the ups and downs of life in isolation. The story does have a happy ending including a cure for Hansen's disease. This is also a good history lesson on Hawaii and leprosy.

Book #41 The Help by Kathryn Stockett. This story is about Jackson, Mississippi in the 1960's. Miss Skeeter has come home after attending Ole Miss and wants to be a writer, but her mother is pushing her to marry Constance, the maid who raised her has been sent away, but it has been hushed-up. Aibileen is raising her seventeenth white child and Minny has been accused of stealing and finally lands a job with Miss Celia. Skeeter finds a writing subject when there is a campaign to have black maids use bathrooms outside the household like outhouses or bathrooms built in the garage. These black maids and white, Miss Skeeter, come together to write a book about black women taking care of white children and households. Many secrets are brought to light in this dangerous attempt at the truth . It is the time when Medgar Evers was shot on his door step, Martin Luther King led the march on Washington D. C, and racial violence was widespread in the South. These ladies know they put their jobs and families in peril, but once they start, the story of injustices has to be told.

This is a serious story told with humor. I really enjoyed the tale.

Book # 40 The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O'Turrell. Three voices dominate this story- Iris, the vintage shop keeper, who is having an affair, her grandmother, Kitty, who is in a nursing home with dementia, and her aunt, Esme, who is recently released from a psychiatric hospital after some sixty years. Out of the blue, Iris finds out she has an aunt and takes on the responsibility of her care. As events unfold, Kitty, gives bits and pieces of the two sisters living in India, moving to Scotland, and going from children to adulthood. We find out why Kitty has never told anyone about Esme, and what Esme remembers or tries to forget about her past. The story has family drama and tragedy and all isn't the way it seems.

This book was well done. It moved along quickly even though thoughts were scattered and fragmented because of Kitty's dementia and Esme's schizophrenia. Family secrets unfold with an unveiling at the end. I don't know if I would consider the ending happy,but the author leaves it to ones imagination. I liked that.

Book # 39 five things i can't live without by Holly Shumas. Nora quits who job because she isn't emotionally involved. What to do since she only has to make cheap rent because she is moving in with her boyfriend? Well, she writes profiles for clients who aren"t getting too far with internet dateing. The story is about her clients, trying to bring out the best in them, and her own personal relationships. Maybe salsa dancing will put spark back into her love life? Along with her clients, she has to figure out the five things she can't live without.

This book was OK, but would never make much of a place on my favorites reading list. However, the question is a good one to contemplate.

Book # 38 Mr. Darcy's Diary by Amanda Grange. Who doesn't love the love story of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet? This was just a new way of reading Pride and Prejudice only from the hero's point of view. Such arrogance, such hypocrisy, such a great story to show English society. It was a fast read and a new twist on an old favorite, so I call it a "summer must-read" for Jane Austin fans.

Book # 37 The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. The story is based around three women trying to find their identity and dealing with grief. The setting switches back and forth between Australia and England. The author creates many twists and turns, leaves the reader hanging like in a weekly episode of a soap on tv, and even includes a red-herring. The three women are bound to a cottage, a maze, and a secret garden. This story seems to be part Jane Eyre, part Wurthering Heights, part The Secret Garden, and part fairy tales for children.

Even though I enjoyed the book, the book structure became too contrived (each chapter explained what had happened in the previous chapter), and I thought it went on a bit too long. Boy, am I the critic.

Book #36- Into the Beautiful North by Luis Urrea. All the men have left for the North. Narcos and banditos have taken over a small Mexican town. The mayor, Tia Irma, has sent four teenage girls and Tacho, a gay restaurant owner, on a quest to the United States to bring back seven policemen or soldiers to protect the town. This story includes the journey to the Tijuana border, the horrific attempts to cross the border, the trials and tribulations of being an illegal alien, and the eye-opening realities of kids who know about the US from watching TV and the movies. They are on an honorable mission, but they have no idea what it will entail. The final journey is to Kankakee to find one of the girl's father.

This was a really interesting story with modern details sort of based on "The Magnificient Seven". Most of the stories I have read about Mexico are historical fiction. I had some trouble with the Spanish and lingo ( I took French in college). I really enjoyed the book since it is very different from what I am use to reading. Reviews say his, The Hummingbird's Daughter, was much better. I'll have to find out.

Book # 35 Brooklyn by Colim Toibin. A young, indecisive, Irish girl is overshadowed by a beautiful older sister and has no prospects for marriage. A visiting priest finds her a job with future advancement in the US. She braves the Atlantic crossing and homesickness in Brooklyn and has her worldview changed. Her life is pretty much work and nondescript. Finally, her future is on an upward swing until she must return to Ireland. Back home, she has to make some important decisions. She can almost forget about her life in Brooklyn, but it isn't quite the same in her hometown since she has been away. Will she return?

This book got great reviews on NPR, but I thought it was a little slow.

Book # 35 Shanghai Girls by Lisa See. Very GOOD! May and Pearl are beautiful girls living in Shanghai, 1937, the Paris of Asia, modeling for artists. They are from a wealthy, privileged family. They dress up, cruise the nightlife, defy their parents and basically look down their gorgeous nose at everyone as beneath them. This all changes when their father, a wealthy rickshaw businessman, has to pay off his debts to the Green Gang. The girls are given arranged marriages to young men from the US. The sisters endure the Japanese attack, the horrors of Angel Island, the prejudice and fear of being deported back to China, the Communist hunts, and mega sisterly rivalry, all while trying to assimilate into American culture in Hollywood and Chinatown. The story is brutal and tender. Lisa See is good at spinning a tale and at explaining relationships. The book brings to light the clash of Chinese culture and American history. This is definitely a "woman's story". It reminded me of The Joy Luck Club. I think it will make a great movie

Book # 34 The Tricking of Freya by Christina Sunley. OMG, everything you would ever want to know, in vivid detail, about Iceland- language, mythology, geography, glaciers, Icelandic food and culture. All of this is tied up in Freya writing to her (maybe) cousin. Freya Morris lives in the US with her mother, but every summer goes to a little town in Canada to visit her relatives, ex-Icelanders. She is immersed into a world of Old Country ways. Birdie, her manic depressive aunt, tricks her into going to Iceland looking for her famous poet grandfather's correspondence. This is not the only trick in the book, as Freya tries to find her cousin and herself. The story is dark and cold. You will probably know the ending before the end, but will keep on reading just to make sure. I haven't read much on Iceland, so it was a welcome change.

Book #33 A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick. This is a book about deception and love. Just when I thought I had figured out Catherine, the mail-order wife, coming on the train to cold, gloomy Wisconsin, I was totally wrong. The only person who seemed honest was Ralph Truitt, the rich husband. The story takes place in northern Wisconsin and Chicago. The characters are locked in their tragic roles and past with seemingly no way out. She wants love and money and plans to kill to get it when she answers the mail-order bride ad. He wants his son and forgiveness and wants her to bring him back. Add in Antonio, the long lost son, Alice the lost sister, and the world around with desperation and despair. The story is dark with emotional and physical pain, passion, and sexual obsessions.

I read and read wondering how it would end. Could the people break from their lies and find the love they so craved? Would all of the lives be wasted? Daphine Merkin, back cover reviewer, said, " Begin reading this novel at your peril, for it will keep you staining to know what happens next until you come to the last, redemptive sentence." I agree. It was a very compelling story.

Book #32 My Enemey's Cradle by Sara Young. Geez, do I read anything besides stories about death, destruction, and war? It sure seems to be my trend. This story was very good. The background is Nazi Germany's Lebensborn maternity homes which encouraged all "racially valuable" women and girls to have as many children as possible. Himmler's goal was to increase the population of the "Master Race". Maternity homes, in occupied countries, were set up where "suitable Aryan" girls pregnant by occupying forces could have their babies. These babies were considered German citizens and were taken to be raised in Nazi homes or institutions. This info is from the author's notes. I had never heard of such a thing.

Anyway, the main character, Cyrla, Jewish, sent to live with her aunt and uncle in Holland, tries to save herself by taking on the identity of her cousin who is pregnant- father, German soldier. Problem: cousin, Anneke was being sent to the Lebensborn. Cyrla has to deal with the pregnancy problem, keeping her identity secret,and her captivity at the Lebensborn. This story has many twists and turns with dispair, lonliness, fear, and tragedy. Luckily, there is a happy ending.

Bring on the foofoo and lighthearted. I'm ready for a little humor.

Book #31: The Piano Teacher by Janice Y.K. Lee. The setting is Hong Kong just before Japan attacks and takes over the island and after Japan surrenders and the island's social circle's history. Claire, quite nondescript has arrived from England with her new husband and becomes the piano teacher for the daughter of a high society Chinese couple. She becomes involved with Will who has a long history on the island. The story includes Trudy, the Eurasian heiress, her connections with the Japanese leader, her involvement with Will, and her place in Hong Kong's elite society. The story is filled with intrigue, romance, questionable love, separation of East and West, loyalty, cultural differences and social classes, and survival in war. The story details aren't fully uncovered until the final chapters. It took a while for me to get really interested in this book- long descriptions of society parties. But, toward the end, I had to just read and read until I finished.

#30 Home Safe by Elizabeth Berg. I'll get it over with and complain (again) about the widow that ends up having a lot of money as is in every other book I've read by Berg. This time, it isn't money, but the surprise is worth a bit and basically the widow doesn't have to worry about money. She does have to worry about her relationship with her daughter and her own inability to fend for herself. As I got into the story, I found that it had some interesting ideas and I liked it more. I will give away the plot if I say too much. It was a fast read and I enjoyed it.

#29 Tea Time for the Traditionally Built by Alexander McCall Smith. I love the series #1 Detective Agency and have read each book, but I was a bit disappointed. Precious has problems with her little white van and learning about soccer, Grace evolves in her role as an assistant detective and has Violet from typing school bringing doubt to her life, there is new information about the mechanic apprentices, and a lady has to chose between two boyfriends. Much of the book is flashbacks and keeping the reader up-to-date. I guess an author would have to do that to inform a new reader, but for me, it was a drag. I still liked the way the problems were solved and the humanness of the stories.

#28 In The Company of Cheerful Ladies by Alexander McCall Smith is# 6 in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. Something light, something funny, something fast, something perfect to read after reading all of the depressing stuff I have read lately. Precious Ramotswe is busy solving the mysteries brought to her agency including the thief of her favorite white van. Grace finds love at dancing class, Charlie finds a rich older woman, and Precious has to confront her ex-husband.

I really enjoy these cheerful books about life in Africa. I wonder how the new TV series is doing.

#27 Still Alice by Liza Genova. This is a serious, sad, and thoughtful story of Alzheimers. Alice, 50 years old, a highly successful professor in linguistics, begins a journey into dementia. This story has many facts and insights. It is from Alices's viewpoint and includes the conflict in her family. Nothing is sugar-coated. It was fast and full of emotion. It shows how quickly life can change and how little anyone can do about it.

#26 The Snake, The Crocodile, and The Dog by Elizabeth Peters. This was a really fun book about a real woman's liber, way back, who is helping her husband ( on equal terms) discover tombs in Egypt. The story is a witty mystery with a villain or a group of villains who are trying to get the both of them since they are very eminent explorers. It has romance, precocious kids, an extreme code of ethics and chivalry, and a great main character, Amelia Peabody.

The book refers back to other adventures the characters have had and I plan to read another book in the series. The biggest problem is that they are really long with very small print. ARGG!

Is it really Spring? Well, at the first of the month, we had a big snowstorm. Now, the lilac bushes are leafing out, I heard frogs down in the swamp, the goldfinches have turned a bright yellow, the allium plants are about a foot tall out by the pole barn, the grass is greening up, the snowplow is parked outback, and the picnic table is out of the barn and sitting on the patio. These surely are a sign of Spring. Temperature has reached above 60 and we should be getting rain in the next few days. But, there are still a few weeks in April, way too early for Spring. We are not putting away the long underwear. That would certainly provoke a snowstorm. We are so SICK of winter!

#25 A Patchwork Planet by Anne Tyler. This is the first book I have read by Tyler. I got this book from the chain letter book exchange. It didn't take too long to read and I'm happy for that since I am falling farther and farther behind. Did I like the book? Not really. I was on my way to understanding the characters and their relationships and then when I finished I felt like I had skipped a few chapters and something was missing. Usually, I don't have that problem. I thought the descriptions of the old people and their daily struggles was very realistic, but somehow I didn't find all of the truths that were supposedly so apparent. I must have been sleeping. Yes, the 30 year old main character was plagued by his frivolous youth and at times I saw the more responsible guy emerge. I just don't know. Nothing grabbed me about this book.

#24 The Little Giant of Aberdeen County by Tiffany Baker. This story was a godsend in that it didn't seem to follow a formula. Baker is great at descriptions and yes, Truly, the main character, is a giantess. But, the story isn't a total freak show.

It is the story of how the ugly, large, sweet, giantess Cinderella survives all kinds of abuse and ends up with the Prince, while the beautiful sister leads the privileged life but ends up the loser. It definitely is the story of "what goes around, comes around". Truly gets her revenge. The story is filled with memorable, distinct, and unusual characters. I don't want to say too much, because I will give the good parts away.

#23 Circle of Friends by Maeve Bincy. Well, another tale with tons of characters, in fact, everyone mentioned plays a role in this book. This book is mostly about romance and the usual and unusual ways men and women are attracted to each other. The drama takes place between a small town called Knockglen and the city, Dublin. The characters are a group of friends at the university, their parents, and intertwined friends. Binchy's stories are always intertwined. Unusual characters are Eve raised by Sister Francis in the convent and Benny who is a large, but lovable friend from the small town. The usual are Nan, the beautiful controlled girl, and handsome Jack. Add in the rich cousin, the drunken father, the plotting store clerk, a few deaths, and the flamboyant Clodaugh and Fonsie, and you have the making of a good tale. This is the second book I got from my chain letter book exchange. Funny, it came the day after I finished reading Heart and Soul. I think I'll take a break from Maeve. Besides the books are really long and I'm getting behind on my 100 book goal.

#22 Heart and Soul by Maeve Binchy. Boy, I would pick a long book which puts me farther behind in my goal to read 100 books this year. But, it was well worth the effort. Binchy is quite the storyteller with each person somehow becoming an important part of the story. The story takes place in Dublin at a new Heart clinic. The new clinic director, her daughters, her ex-husband, and her boss, the new doctor and all of his relatives, the secretary, the nurses, the dietitian and exercise instructor, and of course, all of the heart patients and their relatives and friends. Whew, add romance, add misfortune, add Father Brian and his stalker, and add a happy ending. Also, add humor and the daily struggles of ordinary people, and there's the story. Each life touches another's life.

And, yes, the song "Heart and Soul" could apply to this story.

Book # 21. The Widow's War by Sally Gunning. Women's rights in colonial America? Not many. "A married woman could not own property or sign contracts. A widow was legally entitled to life use of one-third her husband's real estate, actual title to the property customarily passing to the nearest living male heir"- so says the historical notes in the back of this book. And so, Lyddie Berry becomes a widow when her husband dies in a whaling accident. Her independent nature is sparked by her lawyer and friend, Mr. Freeman, her doings with an Indian neighbor, and the ideas put forth by James Otis who speaks of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all- not just men. But then, she has to live with her son-in-law's decisions that run her life going from bad to worse.

I received this book through a chain book exchange with the book coming from New York. It came just when I needed a new book to read. And I really enjoy historical fiction. I think I need to reread Ahab's Wife.

#20 A Garden In Paris by Stephanie Grace Whitson started out pretty strong with a widow who finds a motto in an antique store that gives her some hope for her life. She doesn't get along with her daughter and has been repressed in her marriage. She decides to go to Paris to meet her first love and perhaps recover some of her former self. More than one secret is revealed in this visit. The last part of the book revealed to me that this is considered Inspirational reading- not that I have anything against it. This just is not my cup of tea for reading.

Note: Why is it that in the last few books I have read, the widow is independently wealthy?

Book # 19 the day i ate whatever i wanted and other small acts of liberation by Elizabeth Berg. This book made me chuckle. Thirteen stories about regular women who on an ordinary day go off the deep end. Some of the titles include: Over the Hill and Into the Woods, Double Diet, and the Day I Ate Nothing I Even Remotely Wanted. I got a big kick out of the chapters on Weight Watchers. The questions asked are -what would you do, if nobody was looking? What would you do, if you were going to break out and away? This book will give you some ideas. Even writing without using capitals is liberating.

Book # 18 Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day by Jeff Hertzberg and Zoe Francois. Yes, I'm going to count a cookbook. Have I read the book from cover to cover? Sort of. Have I read each recipe? Mostly. I have reread many parts including the first chapters that explain the how to basics. I have made two batches of the master recipe: boule. It was very tasty and easy to do. Then I made the Light Whole Wheat bread. Again, easy to make and very tasty. Much of this depends on the kind and amount of flour I have. I tried the Spinach and Cheese Calzone, in fact a double batch, since it was a way to use the Light Whole wheat recipe. Well, we found it bland, but I will add pepperoni and a sharp cheese if I make it again. I just made a batch of 100% Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread. The great thing is that you keep these bread doughs in the refrigerator and use it as needed. Anyway, my next bread will be something sweet like cinnamon rolls or brioche filled with chocolate ganache. I like this cookbook so much I have ordered a copy for myself. Now I can take this copy back to the library. I'll keep you posted as I cook my way through the book.

Double Read- Book # 16 and #17. The Year of Pleasures by Elizabeth Berg.A different twist on what to do if your spouse dies. The main character,Betta, reinvents herself after her husband dies. She sells her home, moves to a small town in the Midwest, reconnects with her college friends, starts a new business, and adds three new men to her life (ages 10 to 65). I liked the idea of her finding pleasure in her simple daily routines. Of course, it helped that she sold her house in Boston for a large sum of money and she doesn't have to worry about making a living. Not exactly the usual, but I enjoyed the book.

Here at the End of the World We Learn to Dance by Lloyd Jones. Boy, what dancing lessons could do for ones romantic life. I say go out and learn the tango and see what might happen. Jones can really weave a story and it isn't all romantic or pretty.