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Bookshelf Blog

In search of a good read
Tue, Apr 19, 2005
I recently finished the entire set of Tara K. Harper's work. Her books consumed me with their story, and I burned through the pages at an enormous rate. It was with regret that I closed the last book and realized that I was adrift without a story. Where to turn to find new books?

I searched the web for science fiction sites and found a forum where people listed their favorite authors. One listed was Susan Dexter. I had a number of her books on my bookshelf, so I dusted them off and re-read them, enjoying them again. Another listed was Robin Hobb. I had recently read her Royal Assassin and Tawny Man Series and may list them as recommended books on this site. I'm still thinking about it. I read them back to back and by the time I finished them, I was inundated, and couldn't face her third series of books.

I had actually read a fair number of the authors recommended, but their books had not made a lasting impression, fading from my recollection several days after reading them. I am determined to re-read to see if I've missed any to list on this site. I also have some new authors to read from the recommendations. If you have a favorite author, please go to my contact page and let me know.

While chopping garlic...
Sat, Apr 02, 2005
There are two books on my kitchen shelf that have seen more use than any other in my household. Nearly every night, one or the other is propped open next to the cutting board or near a bubbling saucepan. As I was chopping garlic for home made meatballs the other night, it struck me how lost I'd be without them.

The Joy of Cooking has kept us (the chefs in my home) nearly nightly company for the last 25 years. (I have even worn through several copies) The other book I just aquired over the holiday: The Best Recipe, put out by Cook's Illustrated Magazine. The former has all the basic recipes and then some for a traditional American household. It even has wild game recipes and classic deserts like Apple Crisp. The second has fewer recipes, but it has wonderful ones, and it really explains the why of all the ingredients. There are reasons based in chemistry why certain amounts of certain ingredients are listed. I am so very grateful (as is my family) to these two volumes. I would recommend them as a "coming of age" gift for boys and girls moving out on their own.

Books that encourage reading in Junior Highschool
Mon, Mar 28, 2005

I was visiting my sister, and noticed my niece absorbed in a book. This is a girl who has struggled with dyslexia, so seeing her reading for fun was unusual, and seeing her so entirely absorbed, tuning out the rest of us was a first.

I asked her what she was reading and she showed me a book called, "Ronia, the Robber's Daughter" by Astrid Lingren (who also wrote the Pippi Longstocking Series). Her class was reading a number of books, including fantasy books, with the theory that when kids read books that they enjoy, they have a lot more motivation to read. If they are caught up in an enjoyable story, they will struggle through even the most hard to read sections.

A number of fantasy books have strong teen heroes as the leading characters. Some of the other books being read were "The Chronicles of Narnia" by C.S. Lewis, "Dragonflight", by Anne McCaffrey, Philip Pullman's series "The Golden Compass" among others.

I would encourage teachers to look at Tamora Pierce's writings for young adults as well as the Prydain Chronicles by Lloyd Alexander, and the works of Cynthia Voigt starting with "Homecoming".