Wizards and Werewolves, Oh, My!

Fool Moon by Jim Butcher


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
When I finished the first book of The Dresden Files, I liked it and thought that I might read another sometime, but I wasn't sure. Then a friend sent me an email: "They get better." Hmmmm. That was enough for me to pick up the second book, but not quite enough to dive into it. The book aged nicely on my bookshelf for several years. This week I was starting to contemplate vacation reading for the summer and picked this one up. Instead of packing it, I cracked it open. I can now state definitely that my friend was right! Book two is much better than book one!

If you aren't familiar with Harry, he is a wizard. Not jus any wizard, mind you. He is the only practicing wizard in Chicago. His services are for hire by most callers. In particular, the Special Investigations unit of the Chicago PD employs Harry to assist in certain odd cases. In this missive we find Harry facing werewolves. We also learn that there are many different types of werewolves and, well, they are all pretty nasty. There is a bit of magic and mayhem and poor Harry comes out of it battered and bruised. Oh, please, that isn't a spoiler, there are 12 of these books in print and a 13th coming next year, so it is no surprise that Harry lives at the end. Even knowing that tiny bit of knowledge doesn't help the reader figure out how he is going to get past packs of the beasties that keep popping up all over Chicago.

I never should have doubted my friend and I will definitely pick up more of this series to read in the near future.

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In case anyone is wondering, I have turned off comments. I did not appreciate the effort that some folks were going through to add comments that linked to odd, Asian sites with pictures of scantily-clad girls. Grow up!

Abigail Adams, One of My Heroes

Abigail Adams: A Life by Woody Holton


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Biographer Woody Holton is definitely an Abigail Adams fan. This is a good thing, because if he were not a fan, he never would have waded through the Massachusetts Historical Society archives to prepare this book. He also did a very good job of bringing the second First Lady to life. Unfortunately, being a fan also means that some of his writing was very close to fawning over Mrs. Adams. I do understand this as I have long been an admirer of her myself. Still, the writing did drag at times and there were many chapters that could have used more work. Historical works do not need to be constantly thrilling, but they can be consistently engaging. If you don't believe me, please read Cokie Roberts' book Founding Mothers or 1776 by David McCullough). Holton isn't in their league, but he does show promise.

I learned much about Mrs. Adams that I did not previously know. Now I have to come to terms with my own biases since I have learned that she was, after all, human. I am still very impressed with all that she was able to accomplish and grateful that Woody Holton reintroduced me to a true Founding Mother.

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Steampunk by Ann VanderMeer


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
As with all anthologies, every selection can't possibly satisfy every reader. Overall, I absolutely enjoyed this collection. I fully expected to enjoy the Neil Stephenson selection and I was not disappointed. I could have done without Joe Lansdale's "The Steam Man of the Praire and the Dark Rider Get Down," but I was thrilled with Mary Gentle's "A Sun In the Attic," Molly Brown's "The Selene Gardening Society" and Stepan Chapman's "Minutes of the Last Meeting." Even Michael Chabon's "The Martian Agent" left me wanting more and I have never been a Chabon fan. I have already picked up one of Gentle's novels and look forward to finding more fun reads in this genre.

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Tripping the Light

One fine day, I took my son to a local sporting goods store (what? isn't that where everyone spends her disposable income?) and needed something to clear my mind so we went next door to the dreadful chain book store (only dreadful because it, too, gets a large chunk of my disposable income). Wandering through the stacks just reminded me how very many books I already had waiting for me. Then I saw the Terry Pratchett books. Of course! I needed a break. This was the perfect change of gears.

The Light Fantastic by Terry Pratchett


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Seriously, what can anyone say about a Discworld book? This one is another delightful romp with Rincewind and Twoflowers. Life on Discworld is perfectly warped and ready for you to lose yourself. Just give in and enjoy! Oh, and watch out for DEATH. He may need a fourth for Bridge.

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As I was finishing the book, I took up needles and yarn and ended up with a fun shawl that just seems like it is made up the colors of Discworld.

Project: The Wisp Fantastic

Pattern: Wisp

Yarn: Noro Silk Garden Sock

Needles: US 10 1/2

Notes: At a recent knit night, one of the women brought her new interpretation of Wisp. While looking through Ravelry, I found a version done in Noro sock yarn and just had to follow suit. This is a very quick and fun knit. I did add buttons and need to have another photo shoot, but this will have to do for now.

Simple Woman's Daybook for April 6
or, where I return from the the craziness and attempt to reclaim my blog...

These writing prompts are available from Simple Woman's Daybook where each tuesday we're invited to join in celebrating the beauty of everyday moments around us. (Thanks, Marguerite!)

Outside my window... I watched children play and heard laughter while Young Man entertained the neighbor's daughter.

I am thinking... the very long list of things that needs to be done around the hours and at the office.

I am thankful for... a son who still enjoys snuggling with his mother while reading or watching a movie.

I am wearing... my new CAbI clothes, jeans, tee, soft, white hoodie.

I am remembering... that I need to get up earlier tomorrow to get to the meetings of the day.

I am creating... a Melon Pattern lace scarf from Victorian Lace Today. As a departure from my usual penchant to modify every pattern I knit, I am knitting the scarf from the cover of the book in the called for yarn. What can I say? I liked this one just as it was.

I am going... to go to bed as soon as I post.

I am currently reading... Abigail Adams, by Woody Holton. I've been reading this on and off since December. I do like the book and I adore Abigail, but I keep getting interrupted by other books that need my attention.

I am hoping... that my big meeting tomorrow doesn't take its full allotted time.

On my mind... too many things (not a very simple thought, sorry).

Noticing that... Young Man remembered to pick up his Clementine peel, but left his plate.

From the kitchen... we had the last of the yummy pork loin roast and I baked snickerdoodles when the cookie dough order was delivered.

Around the house... things are looking a bit neater after some effort this weekend. Our taxes are filed. Young Man wants us to put in a garden so he and Mr. Engineer have started digging up the raised bed. Young Man did his best to channel Tom Sawyer as he tried to engage the neighbor children to help dig. That scheme didn't work out quite as planned.

No pictures tonight. It is time for bed!