Book Nook Cafe discussion

Clever category, Julie. I appreciate your comments about later uses, as i was unaware.

madrano wrote: "Clever category, Julie. I appreciate your comments about later uses, as i was unaware."

Before reading that book, I never knew about the newer uses for the drug. It was a fascinating book. They would concoct these drugs and then fish around for diseases that may or may not be useful for. There was no FDA around that time period.

Ah, so i'm not alone in finding out about the newer uses. FDA can be such a friend for citizens.

Many Waters
Madeleine L'Engle
4/5 stars
In this fourth book of the series, the focus is on Dennys and Sandy, the twin brothers of the Murry family. While no one is home they go into their mom’s lab when something happens to them and they are transported back in time. They end up still on Earth but in the time period when Noah and his family are given the instructions to build an ark and only certain people will be saved. Will Dennys and Sandy survive? This was a really interesting book but there are some very adult situations in this book so I find it interesting that it is considered a J (juvenile) book! I would consider it more of a YA book. A Wrinkle In Time Series #4

This sounds good and survival could be iffy. I find your comments about age-appropriateness interesting, Julie. I suppose this means a change in definitions must have occurred over the years, once YAs proliferated with the long series of novels.

Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World's Most Dangerous Man
Mary L. Trump
4.5/5 stars
Mary Trump, niece of Donald Trump and daughter of Fred Trump Jr., writes about life in the Trump family beginning with the patriarch of the Trumps, Fred Trump. Fred Sr. was a cruel, miserly man obsessed with profits and his children were his last priority and seen only as valuable as employees and for what they could do for him. When their mother became ill, they were on their own and were ill prepared for life. Not a long book but filled with crucial details of the Trump family history and a look at the family that shaped Donald Trump. A Book Featuring a Non-Traditional Family

Julie wrote: "
Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World's Most Dangerous Man
..."

Nice review, Julie. I've seen Mary on TV. It sounds like a very interesting book.

Alias Reader wrote: "Julie wrote: "
[book:Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World's Most Dangerous ..."
It is not a long book but it was pretty interesting.

My daughter brought me a copy of My Brother Theodore Roosevelt by Corinne Roosevelt Robinson when she arrived. It'll be a good contrast, i suspect, to the above. Can you imagine being raised in that Trump family?

madrano wrote: "My daughter brought me a copy of My Brother Theodore Roosevelt by Corinne Roosevelt Robinson when she arrived. It'll be a good contrast, i suspect, to the above. Can..."

I can't imagine living in a family like that and am glad I grew up in the family I had. Not perfect but we are still talking to each other!

I couldn't agree more, Julie!

The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle
Stuart Turton
4/5 stars
This is the most interesting, suspenseful and intricate supernatural murder mystery, I have ever read. Evelyn Hardcastle is murdered at a party in the country. No one knows who has done it but there are certain guests at the party who need to find the murderer and they only have so much time to find him/her or else they will suffer the consequences. There are so many twists and turns that you may need to take notes especially if you want to keep track of the characters and the plot.
A book related to one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse (death, war/conquest, famine, and plague/pestilence)

This sounds interesting and fun to read. The cover looks neat, too. I looked at other GR reviews and they were all over the place but in the process i saw yet another cover, which i also liked. I suspect it's the geometry of them both.

ANYway, thanks, Julie.

Housebroken: Admissions of an Untidy Life
Laurie Notaro
Laurie Notaro is an unconventional wife, mother and writer. She writes about her everyday experiences from trying on Spanx, snooping in her husband’s journal and her love of Twinkies to name a few, with no shame and makes you laugh and smile a lot. I would read more of her books! H

Julie wrote: "
Housebroken: Admissions of an Untidy Life
Laurie Notaro
Laurie Notaro is an unconventional wife, mother ..."

Sounds like a perfect read to lighten the mood in these trying times.

Fun. I still like to read Erma Bombeck books for the laughs she provided. There is a joy in observations we all have but fail to put into words. I'll keep an eye open for Notaro.

madrano wrote: "Fun. I still like to read Erma Bombeck books for the laughs she provided. There is a joy in observations we all have but fail to put into words. I'll keep an eye open for Notaro."

I miss Erma Bombeck. She had a column in the newspaper and I always enjoyed reading it.

Ditto. Did you ever read Peg Bracken? I "discovered" her after devouring the old, original Heloise housekeeping books, who rarely cracked a joke. Bracken, whose The I Hate to Cook Book was my introduction to her, wrote amusingly and felt more like my speed of cook & housekeeper.

I followed the cook book up with her The I Hate to Housekeep Book. A cute take on turning things you usually throw away into something useful was hilarious. ANYway, i followed her writing until her death.

Still miss her along with Bombeck.

madrano wrote: "Ditto. Did you ever read Peg Bracken? I "discovered" her after devouring the old, original Heloise housekeeping books, who rarely cracked a joke. Bracken, whose [book..."

I never read or heard about her. Was she a columnist too or just wrote books?

Bracken was a columnist for a woman's magazine, i think it was Family Circle. Mostly she wrote humorous books, including one on etiquette, I Try to Behave Myself. Peg Bracken's Etiquette Book. However, later in life her humor was mellowed. I suppose my favorite was a series of essays she wrote about family members, A Window over the Sink: A Memoir. It's been years since i've read her, so i don't know if she holds up well.

What i do know is that she "introduced" me to the works of Kurt Vonnegut Jr.. And her simple recipe for "Elevator Lady Spice Cookies" is a family favorite. I am grateful for both!

An Acceptable Time
Madeleine L'Engle
4/5 stars
In the fifth book of the series, the focus is on Polly O’Keefe, granddaughter of Alex and Kate Murray. Polly is spending the summer with her grandparents. Her friend, Zachary, who is ill comes to visit. When an unusual occurrence happens, Polly and Zach are transported from their time to another time in the same location. The grandparents are upset and don’t want them to take off to see if it happens again. However Zach has heard of the mystical healing of the people who live in that time period and wants to return and they end up there not knowing if they can get back. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and this was probably the best of the five I read. She has written more but I think I’m ready for a break from this series for the time being. The Wrinkle In Time Series - Book 5

Isn't it neat that the 5th is one of the best, though? So often, a series wanes. I thought this was the last in the series, although she does have other series. Not certain whether they are all related or not, however. Thanks for sharing the adventures with us, Julie.

madrano wrote: "Isn't it neat that the 5th is one of the best, though? So often, a series wanes. I thought this was the last in the series, although she does have other series. Not certain whether they are all rel..."

At the back of the book, it lists all her books and the characters that are in them. Zachary was in the last book I read and is in a different storyline of books and the some of the kids from this series may also be in other books. Unfortunately, I can't find on line the chart in the back of the last book. Here is a list of all her books - https://www.madeleinelengle.com/books/
I never realized how many she wrote!

It appears the technique of using a person from one series in a different series isn't as new as i thought! Interesting.

I had no idea she was as prolific as the link shows. It's always neat to learn that writers have a much longer list of books than originally thought. Thanks for the link, Julie.

The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz
Erik Larson
5/5 stars
I love Erik Larson and he does not disappoint in his newest non-fiction book recounting the first year of WWII. The book mainly centers on Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of England as he and the country wage war against the Nazi Regimen and as he tries to get help from President Franklin Roosevelt. Larson also recounts the lives of Winston’s family and friends during war time and the British citizens as they deal with food shortages, bombing raids, death and destruction and trying to work amidst the German air raids and bombings. Larson’s books are so interesting, that I can’t wait for his next book. Published in 2020

So happy to see your good review, Julie. I'm looking forward to getting a copy in 10 weeks or so, according to my library page. Yes!

Julie wrote: "
[book:The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blit..."

I am enjoying it, but unfortunately my reading has been put on hold so I won't be able to finish it before i have to return the ebook to the library. I'll have to get on the wait list again.

I found the part where he discusses Britain's ultimatum to France that they turn over their fleet when they surrendered to Germany or they would bomb it very interesting. Fascinating section.

Whetting my appetite!

More Than This
Patrick Ness
5/5 stars
This book centers on Seth. He grew up in England but after his brother died, the family moved to the Pacific Northwest. Between his brother’s death and a personal issue that scandalized him and his family, Seth decides to kill himself. However, after he does try to drown himself, he wakes up and there is no body at home and there is no one in the town he lives in except for Regina and Tomasz who he befriends and the mysterious Driver who keeps trying to chase them down. I read this in a few days because it was so compelling and hard to put down! A Book With A Geometric Pattern or Element on the Cover

What a category! The thing is, such categories can introduce a reader to a good experience. Cool!

If you haven't decided on a Southern Hemisphere title, thought I'd intrude with an interesting suggestion: The Penguin Lessons.

John wrote: "If you haven't decided on a Southern Hemisphere title, thought I'd intrude with an interesting suggestion: The Penguin Lessons."

Thanks for the suggestion-hadn't researched books on that subject yet!

madrano wrote: "What a category! The thing is, such categories can introduce a reader to a good experience. Cool!"

I would like to read more of Ness too!

I can see why--this one sounds good. And you really liked it, too.

Man in the Empty Suit
Sean Ferrell
2.5/5 stars
The man in the empty suit is a time traveler and has returned home to celebrate his birthday in New York City with versions of himself from years past. But when one of his versions is killed, the main character hides out with Lily, a young, poor woman taking care of a man with physical and mental disabilities while he figures out what to do. I had a hard time suspending disbelief while reading this one. I didn't understand why there were so many versions of him and why were they trying to kill him. I did like his relationship with Lily, the young woman he befriends but overall I can’t recommend it. A Book Related to Time

There is also a book called A Man in the Empty Suit but I have not read that one!

What a disappointment, Julie, particularly for someone who enjoys science fiction the way you do. I hope the next one is better.

madrano wrote: "What a disappointment, Julie, particularly for someone who enjoys science fiction the way you do. I hope the next one is better."

I've been pretty lucky with the books I have picked so one out of the many I have read this year isn't too bad!

Good point!

Dead Presidents: An American Adventure into the Strange Deaths and Surprising Afterlives of Our Nation's Leaders
Brady Carlson
4/5 stars
Brady Carlson, reporter and NPR Radio Host traveled around the country with his son tracking down a number of dead presidents' graves, looking into the manner of their deaths and how they were remembered. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and loved all the trivia. I definitely recommend this book. Two books that are related to each other as a pair of binary opposites
I am reading the President's wives book now!

Julie wrote: "
[book:Dead Presidents: An American Adventure into the Strange D..."

I was wondering how you were going to handle the binary component!

Julie, this book sounds up my alley. When i read my presidential biographies, i appreciate it when authors share about their "afterlives"/legacy. It's often interesting to learn about a somewhat unpopular President garnering accolades years after their deaths. It just goes to show us, history may never be finished with us.

Thanks for this title.

Julie wrote: "
[book:Dead Presidents: An American Adventure into the Strange D..."

You always find the most interesting and unique books. I'm sure this is one I would enjoy.

I am reading Upstairs at the White House: My Life with the First Ladies by J.B. West now and it is really interesting too!

Couple of ideas for your letter E slots:

Excellent Women

Elizabeth Is Missing

Julie, i read that West book last year and really learned much. There were things i never considered...and wonder if it was really necessary. Enjoy it.

A person doesn't often think about "E" books until there is a challenge such as this. The Emma Healey Elizabeth book discombobulated me for the first few chapters but i suspect that's 'cause i'm old, too. I read that in May. Prior to that the most recent "E" book i read was Ellie and the Harpmaker, which is one of those "enchanted" books. Nothing magical, just many unusual things had to happen for it to end as it did. I read that Hazel Prior book almost a year ago.

Thanks for the suggestions!

Upstairs at the White House: My Life with the First Ladies
J.B. West
5/5 stars
J.B. West was the Chief Usher of the White House from 1940’s in which he worked for the Roosevelts until his retirement a year or so into the Nixon’s’ first term in the White House. His role (along with his staff) was to assist in the daily lives of the president and his family which included planning social events, renovations to the White House (and each President’s wife had their say so in those changes) and supervising the staff. Each President had a budget for the White House but that did not cover all their expenses which they then had to pay for themselves. This was well written and a wonderful look at the Presidents’ wives and their roles in the lives of their husbands and country. Two books that are related to each other as a pair of binary opposites

The thing which struck me as excessive in the staff work was changing the sheets whenever an upstairs guest laid on the sheets, even after a nap. Making up the bed, i understand, but changing the linens?

I also liked reading about the private parties the Kennedy's had, which included live musicians. Who would have thought of such a thing?

madrano wrote: "The thing which struck me as excessive in the staff work was changing the sheets whenever an upstairs guest laid on the sheets, even after a nap. Making up the bed, i understand, but changing the l..."

I am lucky if I get my bed sheets washed once a month!

I hear ya!