This is the most original tea-and-crumpets mystery I've read in awhile. In this case, the tea is bush tea and the preferred delicacy (which Mma Romots...moreThis is the most original tea-and-crumpets mystery I've read in awhile. In this case, the tea is bush tea and the preferred delicacy (which Mma Romotswe simply cannot resist) is mopani worms. That's because it's set in Africa ~ Botswana, to be precise. The mystery is secondary to the character of the detective, Mma Ramotswe, an honest, far-sighted soul, who is very effective in her newfound business of detecting. Her story is told with delightful humor. Careful, though ~ the book is full of sudden, sly insights that sneak up all at once and stab at your heart. Mma Ramotswe is my new favorite detective. I don't think I can stop at one book.(less)
This non-fiction selection is of local and regional interest for readers who are interested in the topics of tufting and cottage industry, and in life...moreThis non-fiction selection is of local and regional interest for readers who are interested in the topics of tufting and cottage industry, and in lifestyles of the Northwest Georgia region ~ specifically of Dalton, Chatsworth, Eton, Calhoun, and surrounding areas. It would well serve genealogists, whose ancestors worked in tufting in North Georgia, to read this book. As topical non-fiction, it is informative and highly entertaining, up to a point. About halfway through, it does get a little dry, detailing the growth of specific large corporations and their CEOs. The book starts with a description of chenille-tufting beginnings, including a brief biography of youthful entrepreneur, Catherine Evans Whitener, locally credited as being the "first" to revive the folk craft of candlewicking (her own variation of it) in Dalton after the Civil War. It then follows the early-to-mid 20th-century growth of the cottage industry of tufting bedspreads that led to innovations in broadbeam and broadloom carpet tufting, documenting specific dates of origin and acquisition of companies. It is a "vanity-press" publication and does have earmarks of community bragging. However, it goes beyond being a brag book to document stories, anecdotes and biographies of local textile pioneers. OSHA lovers and haters will both shudder and laugh at anecdotes of low-paid, snuff-spitting grannies and children in mountain cabins, tufting away well past midnight by the light of a kerosene lamp; old men converting chicken houses to spreadhouses so they can sell spreads and tinker around with inventions; and early, rather dangerous innovations in textile-manufacturing methods. It really is a wonderful depiction of what hard-scrabble folks will do to earn their keep during hard times. It is indexed and contains about 245 surnames (not counting names of companies, which would add more). It has a glossary of industry terms.(less)
Excellent collection of favorite shorts for light reading. Some classic titles will be familiar ~ "Tobermory" (Saki), "The Lady or the Tiger" (Stockto...moreExcellent collection of favorite shorts for light reading. Some classic titles will be familiar ~ "Tobermory" (Saki), "The Lady or the Tiger" (Stockton), "The Cask of Amontillado" (Edgar Allan Poe). Most are excellent, and of a piece with these; but, I'll draw attention to some lesser-known, fine works in this batch: "There Will Come Soft Rains" by Ray Bradbury (clever and ironic); "To Build a Fire" by Jack London (the author doesn't disappoint); "Leiningen Versus the Ants," (Carl Stephenson), a tale of man against nature guaranteed to make one flinch; and an unusual story of strong emotional impact, "Hook," by Walter Van Tilburg Clark, a tale of a hawk, as told from an omniscient point of view that includes the hawk's own perspective. That last one rivals Jack London's stories, I think. Easy to pick up, browse, pick and choose, or read through. Good read!(less)
Christian classic, lightweight feel-good novella for the female reader: in this retelling of the Cinderella story, "Aunt Crete," an elderly spinster,...moreChristian classic, lightweight feel-good novella for the female reader: in this retelling of the Cinderella story, "Aunt Crete," an elderly spinster, is whisked away by a rich nephew from over-bearing relatives and a life of drudgery, to experience the joy of a more fulfilling life. Implications are that Christ would do the same for meek souls who are strong in faith. For the most part, this is only implied, but the author does overtly state some moral proverbs, which can be disconcerting. It could be more subtle, but is still a nice story. Interestingly, this book had the makings of a great light short story, O. Henry style, but finally lacked the precision and sophistication of that genre. It is worthy of further exploration for Christians, and should appeal to fans of Grace Livingston Hill.(less)
(First reading: way back when). A level-headed young man, Sam Gribley, leaves a crowded home in the city and goes out to live off of the land. During...more(First reading: way back when). A level-headed young man, Sam Gribley, leaves a crowded home in the city and goes out to live off of the land. During his sojourn on the mountain, he befriends humans and animals, particularly a falcon, which he trains. When I first read this in my teen-aged years, I marveled at this boy's self-sufficiency. Re-reading it just recently, I was slightly amused at how willing I was, back then, to believe that a young city fellow, with no training, could read a few books and put theory into practice the way he did. Even so, it's a good thought and a good, heart-warming read. There's humor in it, too. Sam is a "tween" representative of Thoreau, without all the politics (and that allusion is a given, since one of Sam's new-found friends even nicknames him "Thoreau.") A nice, clean, satisfying read.(less)
This book does awaken one to certain deeply ingrained beliefs and commonly held misconceptions. If one came early to it, it could change a life, thoug...moreThis book does awaken one to certain deeply ingrained beliefs and commonly held misconceptions. If one came early to it, it could change a life, though more likely it will give insight on life patterns already set, and into certain patterns of self-defeating behavior that come of always being short of cash, making ends meet, or just living the middle-class life. The greatest lessons might be in its practical applications: learning to handle money at the most basic level, saving pennies instead of spending them, and developing certain attitudes toward money and financial matters. As for the moral lessons, they seem ambiguous and probably won't sit too well with one whose beliefs were formed from childhood. Like all self-help books, it was the book du jour for its time ~ hard to know which ones will rise above and stand out from the crowd, but it won't hurt to read it.(less)
I first read this when I was in my early teens and was deeply affected by the novel. I remembered it for many years. I reread it recently and still fo...moreI first read this when I was in my early teens and was deeply affected by the novel. I remembered it for many years. I reread it recently and still found it very good, on several levels. It's a good portrait of colonial America and a nice description of an independent spirit. It has its tense moments, when the young woman is treated as an outcast in the strait-laced town. The characters are varied and original, though there may be some stereotyping of the early American mindset. It's interesting that, even in the harsh environment, there is some familial attachment between the characters. I do think that the book deserves classic status and I'll keep it on my shelf.(less)
Dashiell Hammett liked it. That explains a lot. This was a little too hard bitten for me. It falls into the genre of tough, hard crime books that feat...moreDashiell Hammett liked it. That explains a lot. This was a little too hard bitten for me. It falls into the genre of tough, hard crime books that feature sly, deceitful dames and their tough-yet-tender boyfriends. A good bit of its fame lies in eroticism that was shocking for its time and in the amusing story behind the title, which has nothing whatsoever to do with the story. Not my cuppa tea, but these things sometimes make good films in the right director's hands.(less)
Loading...
