I Read: Lending a Paw

Lending a Paw by Laurie Cass

(Book one in the Bookmobile Cat Mysteries)

Of course I picked this up because cat. And books. How could I resist?

The cover is cute and tells you what you need to know about the story - if you don't like book stories, and cats, then there's no point in reading. The cover is what initially got my attention. Of course. 

Working my way through the story was a little more difficult than the cover might give the impression of. It feels simplistic, but there are complex and honestly just silly moments that throw the story off track. 

I Read: The Twits

The Twits by Roald Dahl

Unfortunately, this one may be one of my least favourite Dahl stories. There's a lot to it, with monkeys and birds and really not nice people. And the introduction to the characters is pretty intriguing, but overall it's not a pleasant book. It's funny, but not fun. I like that the meanies get their just desserts at the end, but it's still a tough story to justify.

But it's a super quick read, and worked nicely as a filler between longer, more attention heavy reads. 

#99-2020

I Read: Whiskey in a Teacup

Whiskey in a Teacup by Reese Witherspoon

Part cookbook, part memoir, part instruction manual for how to "be more Southern", this is a great representation of who I think Reese Witherspoon is. Quirky, but practical with some very Southern sensibilities. 

I'm enjoying the idea of actually creating some of the recipes she's included, and while I will never be a hostess or entertain in the sense that she speaks about in the book, I still like reading about it and imagining going through the planning of it. 

The little bits and pieces of personal stories that she throws in really make this a more personal story, as if she truly is sharing her family stories and even secrets with you as you travel through the pages with her. 

There's nothing monumental here, but there are some great little tips and tricks for making things more or less formal, and doing it easily or at least more easily than you might imagine they could be. I'm looking forward to trying several of the recipes because they sound like they'd be wonderfully simple and yet feel like a treat. 

#98-2020

I Read: a collection of children's books

Lifetimes: A Beautiful Way to Explain Life and Death to Children by Bryan Mellonie
Grandma's Yarn by Lynne Pickavance
The Giraffe, the Pelly and Me by Roald Dahl
I Don't Mind Being Short by Slavica Popadic
When Will I read? by Miriam Cohen
Revolting Rhymes by Roald Dahl
Little Ones Listen to God

I had a pile of picture type books on my shelf that I finally took a moment to zoom through, with the end of the year on us. I should have done it months ago. No cover photos for these, since there are a bunch of them, but there are things to say for a few of them.  All of them came from my mother's collection of books that we've gone through to find out which to keep or transition into new homes. These represent a small collection of what I couldn't bear to part with. 

I Read: Danny the Champion of the World

Danny the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl

Another wonderfully ridiculous Roald Dahl offering. Ridiculous of course, but with a lesson to be had. I don't know how he managed to make things silly and serious at the same time. His books are a wonderful break from the real world while remaining planted firmly within it. 

#90-2020

 

I Read: Always Looking Up

Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist by Michael J. Fox

I've always been a Michael J. Fox fan, from the days of Family Ties. I remember staying up "late" at the time in order to be able to watch the episode each week. I followed his career after and managed to always catch up on bits of it. But I've gotten very behind on his books. 

Years ago, I read Lucky Man and thoroughly enjoyed the way that his writing comes across as if he's having a conversation with the reader - this book is no different. It's almost as if you can hear his voice. 

I Read: The Smell of Other People's Houses

The Smell of Other People's Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock

I enjoyed this book - I wasn't sure it would be one that would go in that category. The title intrigued me, which is why I choose to read it in the first place. The story is definitely intriguing, following the lives of several teens in Alaska at the time of the territory becoming a state. The stories of those teens mingle together in interesting ways and teach a number of lessons while doing so. 

The subject matter isn't really pleasant, but it is real and wanting to know how the stories are completed is what keeps the reader interested.