Finished SANDSTORM

Wow!  This was a tense roller coaster ride.  These Sigma Force books are Indiana Jones meets Ken Follett (the spy novels.)  That is, high adventure with international purport.  The sandstorm is the least of their problems.  Also I was able to understand the scientific explanations given which is not always true of Arthur C. Clark or Stephen Donaldson.  So, Rollins is also, obviously a natural born teacher.  Appreciated the history and the postscript telling us what in the novel was based in fact.  I could not put it down!

I am now reading The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George.  Monsieur Perdu sells books specifically chosen to treat and allieviate the problems of life.  I have often selected books to read with my students to be both cautionary tales as well as conversation starters about many of the pitfalls of adolescence.  So I am prepared to be in love with this book.  And, it will be a welcome respite from the tension of the book I have just finished.

Finished HOLLYWOOD MUSICALS THE 101 GREATEST SONG-AND-DANCE MOVIES OF ALL TIME

This time, the musicals are treated with less respect and more humor than the Broadway Musicals were.  The tone on many of the description of many of these is tongue-in-cheek, responding to the often "formula" groups of movies.  However, the bios of the artists--actors, directors, producers, choreographers, composers and lyricists are well done and very respectful.  I suspect it is the studios and the studio system which drew Ken Bloom's often sardonic tone.  That said, I enjoyed it and often laughed at the descriptions.  This book is in my reference library.

That was my bathroom book.  I am now putting The Enchanted World  Ghosts into that room.  This is a whole set of books put out by Time Life Books in 1984.  I have the whole set which I purchased as reference books for my reading.  I often encounter beings I have never heard of or want more information about.  This set has been very helpful.  Now, finally, (after 34 years) am going to take the time to read them all cover to cover.

                              

Finishe PEOPLE OF THE BLACK SUN and with it PEOPLE OF THE LONGHOUSE

The story of The People of the Longhouse was four books long, and I loved all of it.  It ended bitter sweet  (as do most stories based on life or legend.)  I loved the evolution of the characters and of the relationships that tied children of different peoples together from the first book through the last.  As always, these books are steeped in spiritualism and mysticism which plunge the reader into the culture of the distant past.

I am now about to start James Rollins' Sandstorm.  This is the first of his Sigma Force books, but it is my second.  I so enjoyed Map of Bones I bought the first and third in the series immediately.

Finished WHEN DAY BREAKS

Again, I didn't get the culprit pegged until Clark wanted me to.  There were a lot of suspects and red herrings, but that is what I expect from a good mystery.  It was also exciting, edge of the seat reading toward the end, especially.  I love this author.

Now I have started People of the Black Sun, by Kathleen O'Neal and W. Michael Gear, which is the fourth of their People of the Longhouse saga, a novelization of the legend of how the Iroquois established their federation, the model for our first independent government and then for our present constitution.  It starts off immediately after the battle that The Broken Land ended with.  The people are recovering a devastating conflict that has left villages burned and 90% of the warriors of some tribes dead.  We are already seeing armistices between some of the tribes begin to take place for mutual defense.

Finished HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD

Though not as long, and therefore as satisfying, as most of the original series, this is every bit as exciting and inventive.  The Potter's middle child, Albus Severus, feels alienated from his father and attempts to go back in time to right a wrong with grievous results.  The theme of this is very adult having to do with the pitfalls of raising children, and shows that J. K. Rowling hasn't got an handle on it yet, either.  But, who has?  It is an interesting look at the tribulations of father/ son (parent/child) relationships.

I am now about to start When Day Breaks by Mary Jane Clark.  It says it is the tenth of the Key News books, but I've only read 8, not in order, and two come after this book...

Finished WITCH MISS SEETON

This the third Miss Seeton mystery I have read and the third that I have very much enjoyed.  This one was the most exciting so far...though these books make me giggle much of the way through them, this one also had me on the edge of my seat for awhile.

I am now about to start Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

Finished SKIN TRADE

I confess to being guilty of always thinking the bottle of wine I am drinking is the best wine I have ever had, the food I am eating is the best food I've ever had, and likewise, the book I am reading is the best I have ever read.  That said, I think this is the best of the Anita Blake books so far.  Wonderful plot with a clear and heinous villain who turns out to be sort of understandable, many fabulous characters we haven't met or have only briefly met before.  Most of the regular characters are left behind as Anita goes to Las Vegas.  Loved it, as usual and was unable to put it down.

I have now begun Witch Miss Seeton by Heron Carvic.  Miss Seeton, a charming retired teaeher is conservative, proper, insightful as well as painfully naive.  Through no fault of her own, disaster follows her around...disaster, I should say, for criminals.  She is never aware that anyone is trying to hurt her or steal from her--she is oblivious.  When disturbed in any way, she whirls or falls whipping her umbrella around and foiling those who seek to bother her.  In this way, unknown, she solves crimes, and the police (Scotland Yard) employs her and pays her.  The reason for this totally escapes her, but she can use the money.  There is at least a giggle on each page.