December: Books I read

 

Whisper by Chrissie Keighery (library) a YA novel and the twist is that the protagonist has gone deaf and has to navigate the world of growing up and teenage angst with a loss of hearing. 

Dead Cert by Dick Francis   steeplechase jockey sees the rider before him die falling at a jump and sees that it was not just an accident. 

A Gravestone Made of Wheat by Will Weaver short stories about homesteading in the midwest. 

The Mystery of Mrs. Christie by Heather Terrell (library) I thoroughly enjoyed this fictional imagining of the disappearance of Agatha Christie in 1926. Forever a mystery. It has me wanting to read more of her autobiography and books again in chronological order. 

Later by Stephen King Really enjoyed this one, more so than some of his other latest writings. harks back to Firestarter, Carrie, etc where a young boy has supernatural powers and has to learn to live with it. 

An Expert in Murder by Nicola Upson Josephine Tey is the protagonist and I really enjoyed this and will be reading more from this author.  

Luncheon of the Boating Party by Susan Vreeland (audiobook) I listened to this one in the car as usual and I constantly wanted to refer to the painting while listening. It was very interesting. The logistics of getting that many people to sit for a painting, things that I never think of when I look at some of these classical paintings (when today folks just take photos and then refer back to them in their studio) 

Open Mic Night in Moscow by Audrey Murray (library) quite a fun read. She herself likens it to Eat, Pray, Love but with Yak Herders.... or Wild only in Tajikistan  So it is her finding herself by traveling through Russia and the former Soviet Union Republics.  I enjoyed it, but I also  have a fascination with Russia. 

The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie after reading the Mystery of Mrs. Christie, I had the desire to reread all her books in chronological order. (to see the evolution of her style and how the books fit in her personal history) This was the first and introduces us to Hercule Poirot

Made in China by Amelia Pang (library) True story of an SOS note that was found in cheap dollar store items made in China. Political Prisoners forced into labor making cheap goods for the USA market. And it definitely made me rethink the times I buy things from the dollar stores. 

Footsteps New York Times Travel columns compilation (library) Literary Pilgrimages from around the world. This book is right up my alley. I have often in my travels gone to places just because they are featured in books or movies or because the author was there. Following Julia Child's footsteps through Paris or Hemingway in Cuba, Key West and Idaho! Iowa and Honduras for Nancy Drew author Mildred Wirt. Movie locations in Ireland and Scotland, Hawaii, North Carolina and Montana. This book gave me many new ideas of places I need to go!! 

Fuzz by Mary Roach (library) What happens when animals "break the law" and especially if they are rare or endangered, but they are dangerous to us.  From animal attacks to managing bears and elephants, I found it fascinating to learn about animal management all over the world.