Category Archives: adult
The Fifth Gospel – Ian Caldwell
When Alex and Mona had a son, Mona refused to name him after Simon, because Simon was so unpredictable, totally unreliable. As a compromise he was named Peter, and naturally Peter worships his uncle Simon. Alex and Simon Andreou are … Continue reading
Bertie’s Guide to Life and Mothers: A 44 Scotland Street Novel (9) – Alexander McCall Smith
It was good to return to Scotland Street and catch up on the happenings.The triplets have overwhelmed Matthew, so he offers one of the boys to Big Lou. But surely he wasn’t serious, was he? Angus and Domenica, settling into … Continue reading
A Spool of Blue Thread – Anne Tyler
Abby and Red Whitshanks had four children. Denny was the best looking and caused the most problems, always doing the unexpected, always stirring up things, looking to upset everyone. He was the one teachers called about, the one who dropped … Continue reading
The Country of Ice Cream Star – Sandra Newman
“My name be Ice Cream Fifteen Star. My brother be Driver Eighteen Star, and my ghost brother Mo-Jacques Five Star . . . .” “We Sengles be a wandering sort . . . be thieves, and brave to hunt.” So … Continue reading
Amherst – William Nicholson
Emily Dickinson never left her house, never saw anyone except her sister Vinnie and her brother, Austin. The townspeople referred to her as the Myth. Vinnie cared for her daily physical needs, Austin for her emotional needs. She lived her … Continue reading
The Chessmen: The Lewis Trilogy – Peter May
Fin couldn’t believe his eyes. The loch was gone, truly gone. The water had disappeared overnight. Whistler’s theory was of a bog burst, a phenomenon that can happen after a heavy rain. But Fin wasn’t listening. He was focused on … Continue reading
The Train to Crystal City: FDR’s Secret Prisoner Exchange Program and America’s Only Family Internment Camp During World War II – Jan Jarboe Russell
Crystal City, Texas, is a small town in a sandy, dry prairie near the Mexican border. Its only claim to fame is spinach. The sandy soil turned out to be fine for growing spinach and a statue of Popeye stands … Continue reading
Tasty: The Art and Science of What We Eat – John McQuaid
From a 480 million-year-old fossil digging for a meal to today’s experimental chefs, the author takes us on a journey of taste and smell. Why do we taste? What is deliciousness? Do we taste with our brains or our tongues? … Continue reading
Motherland – Maria Hummel
There was so much that needed to be done. Liesl felt overwhelmed. This was a household used to servants, and she was alone with three little boys. Alone and hungry and cold. Hans resented her, wouldn’t do as he was … Continue reading
The Boston Girl – Anita Diamant
The tape recorder began running in 1984, as Addie Baum, in response to her granddaughter’s request, started to tell of her life. The story begins in 1915 when she was 15, with the family of four living in one room … Continue reading
Lives in Ruins: Archaeologists and the Seductive Lure of Human Rubble – Marilyn Johnson
Archaeologists, real archaeologists are not at all like Indiana Jones. From Machu Picchu to Rhode Island, the Mediterranean to Fishkill, New York, Marilyn Johnson worked and lived with real archaeologists. Her intent was to understand their character, to understand why … Continue reading
Capturing Music: The Story of Notation – Thomas Forrest
I had always just taken musical notation for granted. When I saw the title of this book, it dawned on me that there had to be a beginning. Someone, sometime, had to decide to try to record the music. And … Continue reading
The Girl Next Door – Ruth Rendell
The qanats were a perfect place for the neighborhood children to play. Daphne found the name which means a subterranean passage for carrying water. The children loved the name because it started with a q without a u. It was … Continue reading
The Pierced Heart – Lynn Shepherd
Charles Maddox has traveled across Europe to the estate of the Baron Von Reisenberg, charged with the job of making judicious inquiries into the affairs of the Baron. It seems that the Baron has offered to donate a rather large … Continue reading
Fish Tails – Sheri S. Tepper
The babies, Gailai and Bailai are adorable, smiling and laughing, trying to talk. They’re just like most babies, until you notice their feet, and the tank of water in which they live, and the tiny gills under their arms. They … Continue reading
YA Lit Ramblings 
You must be logged in to post a comment.