"The Comfort of Crows" is a glorious celebration of the natural world written in lovely prose. The book follows the 52 weeks of the year starting with"The Comfort of Crows" is a glorious celebration of the natural world written in lovely prose. The book follows the 52 weeks of the year starting with the winter season. There are 52 essays, and 26 additional mini-essays labeled "Praise Songs" which seem to be a spiritual reflection on a special experience that touched the author, Margaret Renkl. The author's brother, artist Billy Renkl, created 53 beautiful color illustrations, mostly collages.
Renkl's yard in Tennessee is planted mostly in wildflowers and trees. There are also carefully chosen plants in her gardens that provide nourishment and hiding places for birds, bees, butterflies, and other wildlife. Renkl writes about the interdependence of living creatures, and the cycle of life. She also writes about her family--the deaths of her grandparents and parents, aging, weekends at a cabin with her husband, the joy of raising her three sons and spending precious time with them during the pandemic.
While I admire her connection with nature outside, I was surprised that she keeps a potted plant containing a spider who spins a web around the plant's leaves sitting on her writing desk. Her writing desk is also home to a worm composter which turns kitchen scraps into dirt. She gives helpful ideas for being a friend of nature, some very simple like leaving out water during a heat wave.
"The Comfort of Crows" is a reminder to be more aware of nature during the four seasons. When the troubles of the world seem overwhelming, some time reflecting on the beauty of nature can be a source of peace. Although I read a borrowed book quickly, this would be a lovely gift so someone could read it slowly and thoughtfully during the 52 weeks of the year. 4.5 stars, rounded up....more
"Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing--absolutely nothing--half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats."
"The Wind in the Willow"Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing--absolutely nothing--half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats."
"The Wind in the Willows" is a delightful book for both children and adults. I read the version with twelve chapters with many detailed drawings by Patrick Benson. There are also six-chapter versions that concentrate more on Toad's adventures which children would enjoy, as well as easy reader versions for younger readers. Although I never read this book to my children, I can imagine them especially loving Toad's wild adventures with motorcars which were a new invention in 1908 when the book was published.
"The Wind in the Willows" tells about the friendship of four friends--Mole, Rat, Badger, and Toad--and learning from your mistakes. It's also a tale about trying new things, enjoying picnics, love of nature, and going on a journey, especially for Mole who hadn't been far away from his simple home. The book celebrates the beauty of the countryside in Edwardian England.
"The Piper at the Gates of Dawn" was the only chapter that mentioned willows. Mole and Rat come upon Pan, the Greek god of nature and wilderness. This chapter of divine enchantment might be appreciated more by adults, as would "Wayfarers All" about Water Rat meeting a Sea Rat. The Sea Rat describes his journeys, mostly around Mediterranean ports, in long sentences with little appeal for children.
Author Kenneth Grahame told some of these stories first as bedtime stories to his young son who had health problems. Grahame was an avid boater, and his love for boats comes across in his stories. When he was away for extended times, he would also write letters to his son with further adventures of the four animals. Grahame writes about a love of nature at a time when England was changing due to industrialization. His animal characters around the woods and river bank take us back to another time....more
The guests at Lady Glemley's house party were conversing when Mr Appin announced that he had taught the house cat, Tobermory, the art of human speech.The guests at Lady Glemley's house party were conversing when Mr Appin announced that he had taught the house cat, Tobermory, the art of human speech. Panic ensues as the guests realize Tobermory has been listening to their private conversations and peering in their bedroom windows. I enjoyed Saki's humor in this short story.
Dark Invader was a racehorse who was shipped from England to Calcutta, India, in the early 1930s. Mr Leventine, his new owner, arranged for his groom,Dark Invader was a racehorse who was shipped from England to Calcutta, India, in the early 1930s. Mr Leventine, his new owner, arranged for his groom, Ted Mullins, to travel with him. John Quillan, a former cavalry officer, was to be his trainer. The three men were outsiders in various ways, but they came together to race Dark Invader.
The Sisters of Poverty had a convent close to the racetrack where they cared for destitute elderly and disabled people. Every night the sisters made the rounds of restaurants that would give them leftover food. Their aging horse pulled a large cart of food back to the convent where it would be used for meals for the poor. When their horse dies, the sisters pray for another horse--or the funds to buy one. Mother Morag finds a way with the help of Dark Invader.
The book is atmospheric showing the slums of Calcutta to the posh parties of the rich. There was strong prejudice in the Indian caste system, and the English social class divisions. The work of the grooms, trainers, and jockeys was interesting. Mother Morag and her sisters had both disturbing and humorous scenes, especially when the good Mother uses devious methods to obtain funds to do God's work.
The Dark Horse was originally published as an adult book, but was republished as a crossover book for YA readers. The first few chapters have some unfamiliar Indian words, but once you know them, the rest of the book is a relaxing read. The author combined her knowledge of India, nuns, and horses into an engrossing story. It was a heartwarming book with a good sense of place....more
Who knew that a giant Pacific octopus could be a good friend? Tova Sullivan, a 70-year-old woman, works part-time as a cleaner at an aquarium. MarcellWho knew that a giant Pacific octopus could be a good friend? Tova Sullivan, a 70-year-old woman, works part-time as a cleaner at an aquarium. Marcellus is an octopus that was rescued as an injured juvenile, and coming to the end of his four-year lifespan. Marcellus narrates short parts of the book, and he's very observant about the ways of humans. He's also a master at getting into locked boxes, and escaping from his tank to find tasty treats in some of the other aquarium exhibits. Tove talks to him when she's cleaning the fingerprints off his glass tank every evening, and they become very fond of each other.
Tove is grieving since she recently lost her husband to cancer. She also mourns her son who went missing in the Puget Sound when he was a teenager. The mystery of her son's disappearance has never been solved. She's at an age where she's thinking about the future, and making plans to relocate so she's not a burden on her friends some day.
A second storyline features a young man, Cameron, who is looking for his birth father. His mother had abandoned him, and he was raised by an aunt. When Tove has an accident, Cameron is hired as a temporary worker at the aquarium.
"Remarkably Bright Creatures" is a heartwarming story. Tove, dependable and stoic, has such a good heart. The octopus, Marcellus, is a curmudgeon with a sense of humor and a strong will. Of course we have to let go of any sense of disbelief, and just enjoy seeing the story unfold. This "feel-good" book will leave most readers smiling....more
Woody Nickel is 105 years old when he hears the news that giraffes may be going extinct. He's so upset that he wants to set down on paper his story abWoody Nickel is 105 years old when he hears the news that giraffes may be going extinct. He's so upset that he wants to set down on paper his story about driving two young giraffes across the United States.
Woody had survived the dust storms in 1938 in the Texas Panhandle. The orphaned 17-year-old boy went to New York City to see if his surviving relative could help him. He was on the docks when a boat, battered by the Hurricane of '38, docked with two young giraffes. They had been rescued in Africa after a trapper left them to starve. Their herd was gone and the small giraffes would have been lunch for the lions soon. The San Diego Zoo had sent a special padded truck to transport the animals.
Woody was fascinated by both the giraffes and a pretty young photographer who dreamed of selling her work to Life magazine. When the driver was fired, Woody stepped in to help the old man, Riley Jones, who was supervising the delivery.
This is a coming-of-age book as well as an appreciation of the animals which grace our planet. The trip across the country was fraught with difficulties such as windy mountain roads, low bridges, a flash flood, and an evil director of a circus. However, with the help of strangers who were enchanted with the giraffes, Woody and Mr Jones arrived in San Diego. Both of the men were "giraffe whisperers" who knew how to calm down the animals. The relationship between Woody and the mentoring Mr Jones was heartwarming. While I thought the framing story of Woody at 105 years old was unrealistic, the rest of the book was a wonderful adventure. This is a "feel good" book based on a true event that animal lovers will enjoy....more
In July 1964, Winston Churchill was very apprehensive about his retirement from Parliament at age 89. Throughout his life he had suffered from bouts oIn July 1964, Winston Churchill was very apprehensive about his retirement from Parliament at age 89. Throughout his life he had suffered from bouts of severe depression which he described as "the black dog."
Esther, a librarian at the House of Commons, decides to rent out a spare room as the two year anniversary of her husband's death approaches. Mr Chartwell (also known as Black Pat) is interested in becoming a lodger.
Black Pat is a foul-smelling, huge 6' 7" dog who can walk upright on his two hind legs, and talk. He just moves into a place and takes over people's lives. Black Pat exhibits dog behavior, but also loves to make puns. His enormous size can have a smothering, crushing effect on people.
The lives of Churchill, Esther, and Black Pat intersect as Esther substitutes as a secretary to Churchill the evening before his retirement. Churchill has stern words of advice about resisting the black dog:
"You must hurl yourself into opposition, for you are at war."
The depiction of Clementine Churchill, and her role in the life of the great leader was heartwarming. The book had both serious and humorous moments. There is a lot of wordplay since Churchill, the librarians, and Black Pat all exhibit a love of famous quotes. "Mr Chartwell" is a cleverly written book about an important subject....more
Steeplechase jockey Sid Halley had a bad fall, slicing open his left hand and arm with a razor-sharp racing horseshoe. That ended his racing career, sSteeplechase jockey Sid Halley had a bad fall, slicing open his left hand and arm with a razor-sharp racing horseshoe. That ended his racing career, so Sid went to work for a detective agency that specializes in clients from the racing world. Two years later, Sid was shot in the abdomen during a minor job. He's put on a case investigating a group that has been sabotaging a race course so it loses its value. The crooks want to eventually sell the land for millions to developers who will turn the land into housing lots.
During the investigation Sid meets a woman whose face was severely burned when she was younger. They help each other emotionally deal with deformity and people's reactions to their disfigurements. This adds a thought-provoking theme to a good mystery.
"Odds Against" is the first of a series about Sid Halley, and I'm planning to read the next book, "Whip Hands." I enjoyed the atmosphere at the detective agency, and the steeplechase racing scene....more
Jarrett, an enslaved boy working in a Kentucky stable, loved the foal Lexington from the day of his birth. Lexington eventually became a winning racehJarrett, an enslaved boy working in a Kentucky stable, loved the foal Lexington from the day of his birth. Lexington eventually became a winning racehorse and the sire of many other champion thoroughbreds in the late 19th Century. The equine painter, Thomas Scott, captured the devotion between Jarrett and Lexington in his oil paintings. Scott also showed Jarrett's individuality at a time when slaves were just considered possessions. There was such a strong bond between Jarrett and the horse that the owners would sell them together. Overall, the antebellum owners had no more regard for the enslaved workers than they did for the racehorses, many who were run to their deaths.
The 19th Century chapters alternate with some about a 1950s New York art dealer, and others set in 2019 in Washington DC. A Nigerian-American art history major, Theo, finds a smoke-darkened oil painting of a horse in the trash. Theo meets an Australian bone expert, Jess, who is working on articulating Lexington's skeleton in the Smithsonian. The experts they encountered at the museum were fascinating. The contemporary black experience is seen through Theo, although his actions seem naive for 2019.
This was a wonderfully researched saga about racism, horse racing, Lexington, and the people who were connected to the race horse in myriad ways. The author's excellent writing, and choice of interesting topics made "Horse" a 5 star historical novel for me....more
Speck is a terror--a half-blind stray dog that won't behave. But the starving dog arrived at the Bragg's Alabama farm just when he was needed. Rick waSpeck is a terror--a half-blind stray dog that won't behave. But the starving dog arrived at the Bragg's Alabama farm just when he was needed. Rick was in remission from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma after going through the hell of chemo, and isolating with his mother during the pandemic. Speck helped fill up the hours that would have been spent feeling depressed. Speck is part Australian shepherd who feels that he's needed to herd the kittens and the donkeys. The dog offered love, and laughter at his crazy antics. Speck and Rick needed each other's company to heal.
Rick Bragg shows shows a great love for his family, his adopted dog, and his Southern roots. He also writes about his close relationship with his older brother, Sam, who recently died. "The Speckled Beauty" is a warm story full of humor told by a man with a big heart....more
The father of a poor African-American sharecropping family steals a ham to feed his hungry family in the late 19th Century. He had been hunting every The father of a poor African-American sharecropping family steals a ham to feed his hungry family in the late 19th Century. He had been hunting every night with his coon dog, Sounder, but had no luck. The sheriff and his deputies arrest the father, and seriously wound Sounder when they shoot him. The son helps his mother with the work, and searches the chain gangs for his father. Along the way, he meets a schoolteacher who helps him learn to read, and tells him stories about life.
"Sounder" is a beautifully written story about a sad situation. The book is written from the point of view of the boy who is coming of age in a prejudiced world during hard times. Many of the characters, including the dog Sounder, display courage in a quiet, dignified manner. This Newbery Award winner can be enjoyed by both older children and adults....more
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