The Sunday Philosophy Club-An Isabel Dalhousie Mystery by Alexander McCall Smith

 I have read some of Mr. McCall Smith's The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency books. When I saw this series at the library and that it took place in Edinburgh, Scotland, I eagerly checked it out. Although I enjoyed reading it, I was surprised the direction it traveled. The word "philosophy" in the title should have dispelled me of my notions. It focused more on Isabel, an editor for a philosophy magazine, and her philosophical musings about her life and choices mankind makes than the actual mystery. The plot gathers its energy from the mystery but more time is focused on Isabel's thoughts and her relationship with her niece Cat and Cat's ex-boyfriend Jamie.

After a concert, Isabel watches a young man fall from the gods to his death. His face passes her face as he falls. Feeling it is her moral obligation to figure out why he fell, she uncovers inside trader dealings. The ending is a surprise and makes one think (naturally, since our main character is a philosopher!). Not your typical mystery!!

-Borrowed from the library.

Consider: Nothing explicit but -Isabel mentions same-sex attraction, she catches one young character emerging from the bedroom of his female housemate, naked, mentions men having relationships with young men, infidelity

Fancy Nancy Tea Parties by Jane O'Connor illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser

 Fancy Nancy gives etiquette tips on how to host several kinds of tea parties. Fun & vibrant! 

I garnered a couple of ideas for my niece's tea party!

-Borrowed from the library.

I Heard the Bells-Sight & Sound TV*

 Because I saw this preview this summer, I chose "Christmas Bells" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow as our poetry focus for December. We discussed it with friends over cake. The boys also learned to play "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" on the piano. To end our immersion into this poem and this poet, we watched this movie via Sight & Sound TV. 

The production was very impressive-the acting, the accuracy, the set etc. They portrayed his life and his difficulties well in an engaging way. The only aspect we did not like was how sad it was. But that could not have been changed since the movie was based on truth!! Despite the sadness throughout, hope reigns at the end as he begins to cling to God and restore his relationship with Him. Since I researched Henry Wadsworth Longfellow extensively, I was able to critique the movie's factual content and was very impressed with their accuracy.

*Highly recommend. --Not for young children or sensitive viewers-His wife's dress catches on fire. She dies. Henry suffers from burns and cannot attend her funeral. He slips into deep depression. His children suffer because of his neglect. Some Civil War battle scenes

-View via Sight & Sound TV.

While You Were Sleeping DVD*

 Starring Sandra Bullock & Bill Pullman  

1995 Rated: PG, Romantic/comedy

Lucy, a subworker, saves Peter, a man she has admired from afar, from being run over by a train. His eccentric family mistakens her for his fiancee. When she tries to share the truth, something or someone interrupts her. Meanwhile, she falls in love with his brother, Jack...and Peter and Jack's family.

Funny & sweet! I love how Sandra Bullock portrays Lucy, calm and genuine.

*Highly recommend-high schooler or older. (see warnings)

Warnings: swearing, Joe Jr., her landlord's son, is raunchy and hits on Lucy often-(& he calls 900 numbers), drinking alcohol (socially), Ashley, Peter's real finacee, is actually married, Peter only has one testicle--this information is shared a couple of times throughout the movie

Sisterhood of Sleuths by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman

 When a box of old Nancy Drew books appear on her mother's second-hand store, Maizy discovers a photo of her grandmother with two other women nestled between the books. Her grandmother, however, denies that the photo is of her and claims not to recognize the other ladies in the photo. Maizy and her new friends, Nell and Cam, investigate and incorporate their investigations into a school project. 

Twelve-year-old Maizy also experiences a change in friendship and has to deal with a friend who is suddenly unkind and moody.

I was excited to read this book because as a tween and even teen, I loved Nancy Drew. Because of Nancy Drew, I became an avid reader. This plot was a bit simplistic and not as engaging as Ms. Bertman's other books. I enjoyed learning more about the history of Nancy Drew and her writer, Mildred Wirt Benson. Ms. Bertman appeals to my bookish interests and always includes fascinating facts about writers and books within her stories.

Points to discuss: feminism, friendships changing, divorce, racial issues w/in the Nancy Drew books

-Borrowed from the library.

Berliners by Vesper Stamper*

This book was challenging for me to read. . .the topic and period of history were dark and expose the evil within us. I, however, felt it was necessary to read and to understand this time period and the people it affected. As far as I know, I have not read any young adult books about Berlin and how the wall affected its people. Ms. Stamper also bravely ventures into the lives of the Germans who fought with Hitler. How did they process what they had done under his leadership? Should all Germans who followed the  Nazis way be prosectued like Eichmann?

Ms. Stamper is an amazing author. She creates a credible story with a tight plot and well-developed characters woven with sobering history.

Rudi and Peter, fraternal twins, live in East Berlin with their father, mother, and great-grandmother. Both boys are dedicated to their Free German Youth to destroy fascism and to bring peace and utopia through socialism. When their parents divorce, Rudi lives with his father in West Berlin while Peter remains with their alcoholic, mentally unstable mother and his aging great-grandmother in East Berlin. Overnight a wall is built "to keep the facists out". After all, all the facists live in West Berlin. Soon the brothers realize how different they are in their views. Secrets about their parents' past reveal each of is capable of great evil. Who can they trust?

This review does not do justice for the complexity and artistic value in this book.

*Highly recommend for high schoolers and adults but see warnings. It is labeled as "young adult".

Warnings: swearing, violence, kissing, prejudice vs. Jews, capitalists, Blacks, Rudolf and Ilse are intimate before marriage and only marry when Ilse becomes pregnant with the twins, Ilse prostitutes herself to earn extra money before she is pregnant with the twins, Ilse is an alcoholic, it is hinted at that she is unfaithful in her marriage, divorce, Rudolf tries to commit suicide, the great-grandmother is a chain smoker, a lot of adults smoke

-Borrowed from the library.

Who Would Like a Christmas Tree? by Ellen Bryan Obed illustrated by Anne Hunter

 Almost every year when the ground hardens and the air develops a nip, I have the urge to reread Ms. Obed's Twelve Kinds of Ice. I rarely reread, but the poetic nature and the beautiful language in this book offer me delight every time I read it. As I searched for more books by Ms. Obed, I found this picture book by her.

Each month of the year features an animal who would like a Christmas tree that specific month. Ms. Obed also offers behind the scenes information what Christmas tree farmers do each month to care for their trees at the back of the book.

Although the main text is simple, older readers may enjoy the Christmas tree farm care information.

-Borrowed from the library.

Hanna's Christmas by Melissa Peterson illustrated by Melissa Iwai

 Hanna and her family have moved to the United States from Sweden. Hanna misses Sweden. When her mom states she will not have time to plan and organize their typical Christmas traditions, Hanna is miserable. With the help of a naughty tomten, she observes St. Lucia Day and motivates her family to celebrate.

-Borrowed from the library.

Green Is for Christmas by Drew Daywalt illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

 Green insists that he is the color for Christmas. The other colors, however, point out how much they are needed to make Christmas "happen". 

A very short, simple book compared to the other picture books in this series.

-Borrowed from the library.

Tea Party text set

 For my niece's Christmas gift, I am having her over for a tea. To gather ideas, I skimmed through the following books:

Let's Have a Tea Party! Emilie Barnes illustrations by Michal Sparks (different themes with ideas for invitations, decorations,recipes & games)

Come to Tea by Stephanie Dunnewind illustrated by Capucine Mazille

Tea Party by Tracy Stern with Christie Matheson (for adult tea parties/dinners, seasonal themes)

American Girl Tea Parties (lots of ideas, recipes  Instructions are addressed to young girls)

Poetry about tea-Tea Party Today by Eileen Spinelli illustrated by Karen Dugan (under each poem Ms. Spinelli has included tea party tips & ideas)

Hope's Table by Hope Helmuth

 A recipe book by a Mennonite woman

The layout & recipes are simple and not overwhelming. I made simple granola & cheesy breadsticks with good results. I especially liked her list on how to keep a clean fridge. . .my mom follows these guidelines without ever reading someone else's list on how to do it!!

-Borrowed from the library.

Haven A Small Cat's Big Adventure by Megan Wagner Lloyd

 Haven revels in her warm, safe home with elderly Ma Millie. When Ma Millie becomes ill, Haven ventures into the out of doors to seek help. Along the way she encounters a loyal fox and a tenacious bobcat. Even though she is small, can she be mighty and save Ma Millie?

Beautiful writing with imagery   A suspenseful plot 

 I liked how Ms. Lloyd switches points of view between Haven, the fox and the bobcat. The end was a bit abrupt. 

Heads up/points to discuss: Sensitive readers may become upset with the suspense and the stalking bobcat. Animals fight each other and become hurt. Their fighting is described. A character dies at the end.

-Borrowed from the library.

A Wicked History Leopold II Butcher of the Congo by Tod Olson

 After Christmas break, my fifteen year old will be researching Leopold II to support his understanding of Heart of Darkness  by Joseph Conrad. This book will assist his research.

The chapters are short. The sentence structure is simple; the vocabulary is easy. A teen reader can finish it in one sitting. However, the incorporation of facts and interesting details are robust. 

This book depicts how horrible Leopold II was. It is labeled "teen" for good reason... the descriptions and photos are graphic and gruesome.

-Borrowed from the library.

Inherit the Bones by Emily Littlejohn

 Gemma's nighmares about boy cousins who were murdered in 1985 have returned. A recent murder, a circus clown, has aroused them. When the identity of the clown is discovered, old cases are re-opened. Has a murderer been living in this beautiful Colorado town since 1985? Gemma,  a police officer and a detective, who is pregnant with her first child, and her partner, Finn wade through the thick waters of deception and secrets. 

It was interesing how often marijuana was mentioned throughout the book. It's incorporation makes sense since in CO it is legal.

The plot is suspenseful; the writing is superb; the characters are well-developed. I finished reading it in two days! I am not highly recommending it because: good amount of swearing, vulgarity, Gemma's pregnant out of wedlock, lust, marijuana use, lesbian relationship between two minor characters

-Borrowed from the library.

When the Whippoorwill Calls by Candice F. Ransom illustrated by Kimberly Bulcken Root

 I requested this book because I enjoyed Ms. Root's illustrations in another picture book. These illustrations were not as stunning but still interesting.

This story relates how the people residing in the Blue Ridge Mountains were affected by their properties being sold so a national park could be created, the Shenandoah National Park.

-Borrowed via Inter-Lib. Loan

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens illustrated by P.J. Lynch*

 Over lunch for the past couple of weeks I have read aloud this novella to my sons. All three of us were familiar with the story (via abridged versions, audio performances, movies etc.) but enjoyed hearing it directly from Mr. Dickens. I liked his humor (a surprise to me!) and how he sometimes talked directly to the reader. His sentence structure is sometimes lengthy, which made reading aloud more difficult at points.

Mr. Lynch's illustrations are stunning. Some images may scary for younger listeners.

*Highly recommend.

-I own this book.

Duet by Phillip Hoose**

 Our Journey in Song with the Northern Mockingbird

I loved this book. Mr. Hoose intergrates history and facts seamlessly. The mockingbird is part of American history, art, music, literature and of course, scientific research.  I found myself savoring the information and wanting to remember everything!! After reading this book, I am more in awe of God's creation of the mockingbird. The source notes revealed how extensively Mr. Hoose researched. These source notes provide additional information and opportunity for further research.

In a month I am going to start reading aloud To Kill a Mockingbird to my sons. Information from this book will prove useful.

*Highly, highly recommend for those who love to learn and for those who love birds.

-Borrowed from the library.

Warnings/points to discuss: evolution theory is treated as fact (an entire chapter about Darwin is included), old-earth view, global warming, Thomas Jefferson is scolded for owning slaves and being hypocritical

Tommy & Tuppence -Partners in Crime DVD

 Since I read aloud The Secret Adversary to the boys, I wanted to share the 1983/1984 TV production of the novel. We only watched the first show since we have not read any of the other Tommy & Tuppence novels. 

The show followed the novel pretty closely. Any changes were minor. 

*Highly recommend for junior high & older.

Warning: minimal swearing, violence, death, gun fire exchanges

-Borrowed from the library.

The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry illustrated by P.J. Lynch**

 Mr. Lynch, one of my favorite illustrators, brings this story to life. Eventually I would like to own all the picture books he has illustrated.

Della wants to give her husband the perfect gift but only has $1.87. On Christmas Eve she decides to sell her luxurious hair. Her husband Jim loves her hair, but she reasons, it will grow back. With the twenty dollars she buys Jim the perfect gift. Exchanging gifts that evening, each couple is surprised!

Although this short story is a picture book, the vocabulary and sentence structure are perfect for high schoolers and adults.

*Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

 

The Sun Is Late and So Is the Farmer by Philip C. Stead illustrated by Erin E. Stead*

 A mule, cow, and mini horse are concerned. The sun is late in rising, which will make the farmer late, who brings their breakfast. When they share their worry with the owl, he advises them to take the rooster and walk to the edge of the world. Will the farmer ever wake up?

Beautifully illustrated. The warm colors seem to glow against the cool colors. The text layout is clever, matching the shape of the three animals standing together.

A husband & wife team

*Highly recommend. 

-Borrowed from the library.

The Count of Monte Cristo-DVD**

 2002 film

Edmond Dantes is thrown into prison for a crime he did not commit. Bitterness grows in his heart. When he escapes, he sets out for the isle of Monte Cristo where a treasure is hidden. He uses the treasure to bless those who tried to plead his case and to punish those who conspired to falsely imprison him.

Although the movie follows the framework and themes of the novel, it deviates in many ways, including a very different ending. The movie is excellent, though. My fifteen-year-old read the over thousand page novel. To celebrate his accomplishment, we watched the movie as a family with grandparents. He also presented worldviews found in the novel.

*Highly, highly recommend (but see warnings).

Warning- Dantes and Mercedes swim naked together (before married) & have sexual relations (it shown) when she is married to Fernand Mondego. You have enough time to fast-forward these scenes.

-We own this movie.

Elantris by Brandon Sanderson*

 Months ago my fifteen-year-old son placed this book on my nightstand with a note attached to it saying, "Your next read".  Although this genre is not one I would select to read, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I read it over several months because my library due dates dictate my reading life. 

Elantris and its inhabitants were once beautiful and envied. The Shaod would transform random people into shining, beautiful beings. Then they would leave their homes to live in magnificent Elantris. Now when the Shaod overcame someone, it was a curse. Hair turned to grey; black splotches covered the skin. When hurt, the people felt the extreme pain and never healed but also did not die. 

Raoden, the prince and future king of Arelon, awakes to find the Shaod splotches covering his body. He is thrown into Elantris, where it seems like hell. Meanwhile, his future wife, Sarene from neighboring Teod, is anticipating her marriage to Raoden. Through messages and letters, she has discovered that although the marriage was a political one, she actual likes Raoden and is eager to become his wife. She arrives in Arelon and discovers she is a widow. Raoden, reportedly, is dead. 

Is there any hope of escaping Elantris or even better, restoring the city and its people to their former glory?

A priest is determined to convert the city of Arelon to Jaddeth, his god. He has a deadline from Wyrn.

Intrigue, suspense, and likeable characters

*Highly recommend: for high school and older (see warning).  This author is probably one of my son's favorites.

Warning: descriptive violence, demons fight the people at the end, various religions

-My son owns this book.

Snow Goose by Paul Gallico illustrated by Angela Barrett

 Mr. Gallico wrote this story soon after the Battle of Dunkirk. The rescue of the British and French soldiers at the Battle of Dunkirk is vital part of this story.

Frith brings Philip Rhayader a wounded snow goose. Mr. Rhayader isolates himself from the world in his lighthouse and marsh lands on the Essex coast. Humpbacked and with a claw hand, he is tired of dealing with people's reactions to his deformities. Frith soon visits often to observe the goose's recovery. Overtime the two develop a friendship. Then one day, Mr. Rhayader sets sail across the English Channel to rescue British and French soldiers. When he does not return, Frith understands her true feelings for him.

A sad and haunting tale. The illustrations depict the mood well. I would not recommend it for elementary school children even though it is a shorter piece of literature.

-Borrowed from the library.

All Things Wise and Wonderful by James Herriot**

  I read aloud this memoir to my thirteen-year-old. We love this series!

Herriot relates stories from his time in the R.A.F but usually an incident in the R.A.F. reminds him of a story from back home in Darrowby. 

I think James Herriot is one of my favorite all-time authors. He is a superb writer.

Warning if sharing w/ young children: swearing, drinking, smoking (but if reading aloud, you can easily edit these items)

**Highly, highly recommend.

-I own this book.

Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad

My tenth-grader will soon be reading this novella. Although it is only 104 pages long and only took me a couple of days to read, it is a challenging read. I read in some literary commentary that Conrad intentionally made the language hard so the reader would feel like Marlow, fighting through the jungle to find Kurtz.

Marlow, the narrator, relates how he searches the Congo, interior Africa, for a man named Kurtz. His goal is to bring Kurtz provisions. Along the way, Marlow sees the ill-treatment of natives and the greed that is in the center of man. Is Kurtz really the hero everyone claims he is?  Based on Conrad's own journey into the Congo.

-I own this book.

Christmas in Vienna-Hallmark DVD*

 Last week Sally Clarkson recommended this movie on her Teatime Tuesday podcast. She had lived in Vienna for many years and enthused about the scenes in this movie. I am highly recommending it because I agree with her; the buildings and setting were stunning. As I watched it, I was in awe of Vienna's beauty. The incorporation of music and a bit of music history appealed to me also. The storyline was typical Hallmark-predictable, perfect ending.

*Highly recommend it for the setting/scenery and music appreciation.

-Borrowed from the library.

Of Walden Pond by Lesa Cline-Ransome illustrated by Ashley Benham-Yazdani*

 A fascinating contrast of the lives of  two men-Henry David Thoreau, an essayist and poet and Frederic Tudor, an entrepreneur. Both men utilize Walden Pond in different ways! 

Superb writing and clever text layout. An enjoyable way to learn about little-known piece of history

Beautiful illustrations with eye-catching layouts.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Peddler's Gift by Maxine Rose Schur illustrated by Kimberly Bulcken Root*

 Leibush loves when Shnook the peddler arrives in Korovenko. Unfortunately, the boys laugh at him more than with him. When Leibush spies a dreidel that Shnook was selling accidently left in their kitchen, he decides to "borrow" it. Overcome with guilt, he finds Shnook to return and learns some life lessons.

The illustrations allow the reader to peek into Jewish Russian history and culture.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Delish Kids Cookbook by Joanna Saltz & the Editors of Delish

 A well-laid out recipe book that guides all levels of kid cooks. Clear ingredients list, supplies list and directions are included with all recipes. I tried a few of the recipes. We found them a bit lacking in flavor. We did enjoy "Chicken Burrito Bowls". The marinade infused the chicken with a deep, spicy flavor.

-Borrowed from the library.