Book Review: 'The Lost City of Z' by David Grann

✰✰✰½ When legendary explorer Percy Harrison Fawcett set out to find the mythical City of Z, it seemed the whole world was following his progress. When he didn’t check in as planned, the mystery behind the man and his trek became an obsession for many. To this day, people wonder exactly what happened to the man and his son, who were never heard from again. Read along as the author explores the man behind the mystery and takes his own trek into the deadly wilderness to get a first-hand look at what may have happened a century ago.

The Bottom Line: This book reads like a double adventure. First there is the mystery behind what happened to legendary explorer Percy Harrison Fawcett. Then there is the author’s own trek into the Amazon. Since this is probably the closest I’ll ever get to the Amazon, I was fascinated to learn about the local landscape as the author made his way into the jungle. Intriguing black and white photos are included, but I would have appreciated more. Chock full of interesting details, this book is a dense read, so set aside ample time to enjoy it. If reading books about adventures, thrills, and travel into uncharted territories appeals to you, then this is just the book for you.

Book Club Notes: Oh, the discussion for this one was fascinating and lively. Our group enjoyed the tenacious spirit of the explorer as well as the scope of the book and the story itself. It read like a journey, but we agreed the title was a bit deceptive. Perhaps a better title might have been something like “Fawcett’s Obsession.” We learned a lot about the Amazon and enjoyed the in-depth description of the characters. We also discussed how the author mirrored Fawcett’s obsession.

On a scale of 1 - 5, with 5 being the highest, ratings for the book ranged from 3 - 4.25 and garnered an average rating of 3.4. What brought the ratings down? Mostly it was the ending, or shall I say, the lack of one. Quite honestly, the book fizzled out, and several of us felt let down. It was so anticlimactic. Another problem was the writing style, which did a lot of time jumping and could be confusing to some readers.

Overall, the movie was enjoyable and entertaining, but could also be misleading. While the author was a main character of the book, there is not mention of him in the movie. The movie is based solely on the subject of Fawcett and his explorations. The movie also includes several scenes which are purely fiction. The omission of Jack Fawcett's friend, Raleigh Rimmell, from the final trek was an interesting choice, and the ending of the movie is open to interpretation.

Ratings for the movie ranged from 2 - 3, with an average of 2.8. I think this is one of the lowest ratings we’ve had for a movie.

If you enjoy books about obsession and exotic landscapes, check this out. It’s perfect for armchair travelers (like our group), who don’t like hot weather or bugs or fish with teeth.

Book discussion questions are available at LitLovers, Penguin Random House, and BookRags.

Details: The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon by David Grann. Paperback published by Vintage Departures in 2010. 352 P. ISBN: 978-1-4000-7845-5 

Book Review: 'Snow Bunny's Christmas Wish' by Rebecca Harry

✰✰✰✰✰ A wee little snow bunny is happy in the forest, but longs for just one thing, a friend. With Christmas on the way, she writes a letter to Santa asking for one. Alas, she misses the post and decides the deliver the letter to Santa herself. After all, it's not that far away, and all she has to do is follow the North Star. Just in case, she packs some essentials for the trek. Along the way she gives away her supplies to animals that need them. When she finally reaches the North Pole, she is cold and hungry. Santa invites her to deliver Christmas gifts with him. When the little bunny asks about her request, Santa surprises her with the best gift of all. Check out this wonderful, classic tale of kindness and friendship to find out what it is.

The Bottom Line: This sweet story of a little bunny wishing for a friend is a keeper. In the spirit of the season, the wee bunny discovers how her actions of kindness are returned. Highly recommended seasonal reading with little ones in Pre-K - K. Harry's wintry color palette is enhanced by thoughtfully placed silver foil throughout, resulting in dreamy illustrations.

Details: Snow Bunny's Christmas Wish written & illustrated by Rebecca Harry. Hardcover picture book published by Orchard Books in 2013. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-545-54103-9 

Book Review: 'My Penguin Osbert' by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel

✰✰✰✰ Every year little Joe asks Santa for a present, and every year Santa gets it just a little bit wrong. Technically, Santa delivered what Joe asked for, but it seems like there's some miscommunication. This year Joe is very, very specific when it comes to asking for a present. There's no way Santa can make a mistake, and he doesn't. Santa delivers a real penguin exactly as requested, but things aren't always what they seem. Joe quickly learns that having a penguin isn't what he expected. A real penguin has special needs, and since Joe had asked for Osbert and now had him, he had to take care of him properly. Soon Joe is wondering if perhaps this wasn't quite what he thought it would be and asks Santa for a possible swap. Santa's solution will surprise you as you read this clever story.

The Bottom Line: In this classic, be-careful-what-you-wish-for type story, Kimmel weaves a gentle tale of 'buyer's remorse.' Most of us can relate as we have been there and learned our lesson. This is a wonderful book to read with your little one ages 4 - 7 as they put in their own request to Santa. Magically illustrated in wonderfully soft watercolors and pastels that practically glow, this seasonal picture book will be read over and over again.

Details: My Penguin Osbert written by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel & illustrated by H. B. Lewis. Hardcover picture book published by Candlewick Press in 2004. 40 p. ISBN: 978-0-763616991 

Book Review: 'The Bear and the Star' by Lola M. Schaefer

✰✰✰✰½ On an early December morning, Bear wakes to find a star. This isn’t just any star; it’s larger than any before it. Bear knows it is time and searches for a tree, not just any tree. Bear needs to find a sturdy tree, taller than any before. At last Bear finds a majestic evergreen, and he begins to roar. Bear summons the birds and the other animals. Bear roars so loud, people come to the tree too. As people and animals gather around, they too know it is time. Time for everyone to come together in harmony.

The Bottom Line: This gentle tale about the spirit of the season and community is beautifully illustrated in oils with a seasonal palette. Perfect for bedtime storytime with little ones ages 3 - 7.

Details: The Bear and the Star written by Lola M. Schaefer & illustrated by Bethanne Anderson. Hardcover picture book published by Greenwillow Books in 2019. 40 p. ISBN: 978-0-06-266037-4

Book Review: 'I Got the Christmas Spirit' by Connie Schofield-Morrison

✰✰✰✰✰ A young African American girl is full of holiday spirit. She’s been waiting all year to sparkle, shine, and sing her way through the season. When she finds a family in need, she looks for a way to shine even brighter and help people along the way. Join in as she sings, skates, and jingles her way through the festive, wintry city.

The Bottom Line: This sweet tale of finding the holiday spirit is sure to inspire anyone who is searching for theirs. Cheerful art with rich colors created with oil on canvas brings this story to life. Enthusiastically recommended holiday reading with your little one ages 4 - 7.

Details: I Got the Christmas Spirit written by Connie Schofield-Morrison & illustrated by Frank Morrison. Hardcover picture book published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books in 2018. 32 p. ISBN: 978-1-68119-528-5 

Book Review: 'Wise Gals' by Nathalia Holt

✰✰✰✰ After World War II, America sought to form a new organization tasked with helping to keep the country safe. This new organization would gather foreign intelligence and analyze it. Today we know this organization as the Central Intelligence Agency, but how did it get started? And who were the people who were instrumental in developing the tools and skills of the world of espionage? It turns out that among the many men recruited to form this organization, there was also a small group of women who played a pivotal role as well. This is a story of five women whose wit, wisdom, and bravery paved the way for future female agents to come. Known as the ‘wise gals’ for their sense of humor and intelligence, these women will go down in history as smart, brave, and inspirational.

The Bottom Line: This is a fascinating looking into a little-known part of American history. The stories of these amazing women are fascinating and engaging. However, be prepared to time jump as the writing is a bit disorganized. Additionally, there are so many names mentioned that a “cast of characters” may have been helpful. Recommended for history buffs and those interested in espionage and women’s history. 

Book Club Notes: This was our first meeting of 2025. We were excited to read about a part of history that we knew very little about. Thoughts about this book were mixed. At times the timeline seemed to have gaps, and members commented that there were so many characters that it was difficult at times to keep all the names straight. This issue became even more pronounced as the evening progressed. Overall, we found the book to be interesting and filled with information we did not know. The content was good, and the writing style was readable. This book helped us understand history better, and we appreciated the stories of the “gals” and their bravery. 

Some members loved the book; others…not so much, citing that the author jumped around and the text lacked organization. Due to the structural issues with the book, ratings ranged from a low of 3 to a high of 5 for an average of 3.9 stars (on a scale of 1 - 5). 

Book Clubs can find a reading guide at Penguin Random House or a book club kit at Issuu. 

Details: Wise Gals: The Spies Who Built the CIA and Changed the Future of Espionage by Nathalia Holt. Hardcover published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons in 2022. 400 p. ISBN: 978-0-593-32848-4

Book Review: 'The Bookseller of Kabul' by Åsne Seierstad

✰✰✰ Sultan Khan has done well for himself as a bookseller in Afghanistan. He’s faced some tough times under Taliban rule and even spent time in prison. However, now he’s done well enough that he can take on a second wife and family. In the meantime, the life of the rest of the Khan family revolves around the whims of Sultan. Those decisions are in turn based on what’s best for the book selling business. Not even Sultan’s mother is exempt. Author Åsne Seierstad spent time living with and observing the family for months to provide a firsthand account of life behind the scenes in Afghanistan.

The Bottom Line: This book is a challenging read due to the difficult topic of women’s issues. While it is a story of a bookseller, it is also a story about a family and how the women are treated by the patriarch. At times this is a heartwrenching read. Suggested reading for those in college and those interested in women’s rights. This book serves as a good reminder of how far we have come, but also as a reminder of how much more needs to be done.

Book Club Notes: This book brought up very strong feelings in our group. On a scale of 1 - 5, with 5 being the highest, the ratings for this book ranged between 2 - 4, with an average of 3.25. This was a difficult topic to read about. One of our members described it as a “brutal” read. There was concern for the treatment of some of the characters in this distant culture. While we understand that Afghanistan is very different culturally and some of the behavior is based on culture, the actions of “Sultan” were upsetting to some. Members would have liked some more information included on the history of the Taliban, as well as maps of the region, and some photos for reference. Also, it seemed to us that the story of the family ended rather abruptly. We did supplement our discussion with articles about current events; however, there is very little information about the family. Recommended for groups looking to tackle tough topics.

Details: The Bookseller of Kabul by Åsne Seierstad   Paperback published by Back Bay Books in 2004. 288 p. ISBN: 978-0316159418

Book Review: 'The Professor and the Madman' by Simon Winchester

✰✰✰½ This slim book is the tale of a scholar, a brilliant mental patient, and the ultimate English dictionary. Author Simon Winchester expertly weaves together the stories of all three to illustrate how events (some tragic) aligned just perfectly to result in the making of The Oxford English Dictionary. Although the language and the dictionary are always changing, this mammoth undertaking was accomplished without the help of the computers or technology we have available at our fingertips today. Additionally, the number of volunteer readers and the little slips of paper they created is truly astonishing. Even more astonishing is the fact that one of the most prolific readers was a mentally ill surgeon, who lived in an asylum at the time. This fascinating look at history, language, collaboration, and mental illness is a real page turner.

The Bottom Line: This engaging nonfiction book is a quick read for those interested in lexicography, especially The Oxford English Dictionary. Back in the day this was the go-to set for scholars, and for some of us, the OED is just an interesting read. (Don't laugh until you try it.) Winchester takes us on an intriguing journey to uncover what happened behind the scenes during the compiling of multiple volumes over 7 decades.  Enthusiastically recommended for readers interested in language, academia, mental health, and word history.

Book Club Notes: This was our first meeting of the year, and it was well attended. The book was well received too. I was able to bring the entire set of The Oxford English Dictionary to our meeting for people to pick up, handle, and look through. For some, it was the first time holding a volume of the OED! We had fun looking up words, including "elephant" which is mentioned in Winchester’s book. Overall, we very much enjoyed this book. It provided good insight into the making of the OED and life during the late 1800s. Winchester included lots of written detail, but we would have liked to see more photos included. We agreed there is a wealth of knowledge in this small book. We enjoyed learning about history and words. One drawback was the lack of an index.

The movie was well received too. Actors Sean Penn and Mel Gibson did an amazing job. However, we noted the introduction of a romantic theme between two characters that may or many not have occurred (probably not). That being said, this was one of the few times the movie rated (slightly) higher than the book. On a scale of 1 - 5, with 5 being the highest, we rated the movie a 4.1. Ratings for the book ranged from 3.5 - 4.5, with an average of 3.6. Participants were interested in reading the author’s other titles as well.

Looking for discussion questions? Check out ReadingGroupGuides to start.

And as a note of interest, I took the time to fold a “quire” (or my interpretation of one) as quires are mentioned in the book. It’s an interesting activity. Here are several links about making a either a traditional quire or a small book like the one I made: University of Nottingham, Dartmouth, and BlueSofaMedia. (I used the last one.)

Details: The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary by Simon Winchester. Hardcover published by HarperCollins Publishers in 1998. 242 p. ISBN: 0-06-017596-6 

Book Review: 'Happy St. Patrick's Day From the Crayons' by Drew Daywalt

✰✰✰ It’s St. Patrick’s Day, and Green Crayon is away. What are the other crayons supposed to do? After all, the color green is essential for the day. The other crayons decide to make the best of it as they combine colors and learn to shine in their own light. And just when they finish coloring, who should decide to return? Check out this festive, little book to find out.

The Bottom Line: With adorable drawings in gouache, ink, colored pencil, and crayon, it actually looks like this cute book was illustrated by the crayons. Kids will learn a little bit about blending colors to make others, and how to do their best to shine. [Note: There may be some questions about using black for the rainbow though. Perhaps, the author & illustrator had the CMYK perspective in mind, where all the colors make black? It’s important to note, in nature all the colors together make white light.] Nevertheless, little ones learning their colors may enjoy this seasonal read about teamwork.

Details: Happy St. Patrick’s Day From the Crayons written by Drew Daywalt & illustrated by Oliver Jeffers. Picture book published by Philomel in 2024. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-593-62433-3 

Book Review: 'Absolution By Murder' by Peter Tremayne

✰✰✰✰ Sister Fidelma of Kildare has trained as an advocate of the courts. Her special skills are requested by the King of Northumbria to help decide the religious future of the people. However, before important decisions can be made, a leading Celtic speaker is found dead. Amid the chaos that ensues, Sister Fidelma must seek the truth and ferret out a killer before it happens again. With the help Brother Eadulf, Sister Fidelma deftly navigates the twists and turns of this skillfully written mystery. 

The Bottom Line: Over the years, I have read and enjoyed several of the short stories featuring Sister Fidelma. At a patron's insistence, I tracked down a copy of the first installment in the series, and I'm glad I did. Starting from the beginning has added a lot of information and enjoyment to my reading. Mystery fans interested in ancient Ireland and religious settings will find this enjoyable reading. There are currently 34 books in the series, and I am looking forward to reading book two. 

Details: Absolution by Murder (A Mystery of Ancient Ireland) (A Sister Fidelma Mystery) by Peter Tremayne. Paperback published by A Signet Book in 1997. 272 p. ISBN: 978-0-451-19299-8 

Book Review: Heart to Heart by George Shannon

✰✰✰½ Squirrel and mole are best friends, but when Squirrel forgets it is Valentine’s Day, he panics. Squirrel quickly gets to work making a valentine for Mole. However, Squirrel’s plans change when he can’t find his scissors. Thinking outside the box, Squirrel comes up with a plan to create something even better. Will Mole appreciate the effort or realize Squirrel has forgotten this special event?

The Bottom Line: Illustrated in watercolors featuring a wintry palette with splashes of pastels, this short and sweet tale of friendship is recommended for holiday reading. 

Details: Heart to Heart written by George Shannon & illustrated by Steve Björkman Picture book published by Houghton Mifflin Company in 1995. 32 p. ISBN: 0-395-72773-1 

Book Review: 'Grumpy Groundhog' by Maureen Wright

✰✰✰½ It’s Groundhog Day, but the star of the show, the groundhog, is sleeping late! What’s a mayor to do? The mayor pleads, but to no avail. He must turn to the townspeople for help. Ideas pour in, and the groundhog is listening. Will the bribes work? Will the groundhog get up and do his job? It takes a lot to motivate this diva, and Groundhog Day is passing by. Only time will tell if our sleepy friend cooperates.

The Bottom Line: For a humorous take on the day we all anxiously wait for all winter long, check out this seasonal treat for storytime or bedtime reading with your preschooler. Whimsical watercolor illustrations in vibrant colors are engaging and funny. Don’t sleep late and miss out!

Details: Grumpy Groundhog written by Maureen Wright & illustrated by Amanda Haley. Picture book published by Two Lions in 2014. 32 p. ISBN: 978-1477847053

Book Review: 'Days at the Morisaki Bookshop' by Satoshi Yagisawa

✰✰✰✰ Twenty-five year old Takako is an office worker in Tokyo, who has secretly been dating a colleague. Having assumed they would get married, she is shocked to learn of his upcoming marriage to someone else in the office. Crushed and embarrassed, Takako quits her job and hides in bed all day. Soon she is unable to pay her rent and must make an agonizing decision: return home to Kyushu or move into the small, spare room above the Morisaki Bookshop run by her eccentric uncle. It's a decision that will change her life. Her gentle uncle gives her space in return for her watching the store once in a while. As the days, then months, go by, Takako surprises everyone, but especially herself. She becomes a voracious reader, starts to meet like-minded people in the Jimbocho book district, and may even be able to help her uncle, who has a dilemma of his own to solve.

The Bottom Line: This slim novel brought back fond memories of my trips to Japan many years ago. With an emphasis on family, compassion, and literature, this novel was a gentle read and made me nostalgic for simpler times. Highly recommended for fans of books about Japan and Japanese literature. This is a very quick and enjoyable read.

Details: Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa & translated by Eric Ozawa. Paperback published by Harper Perennia in 2023. 160 p. ISBN: 978-0-06-327867-7 

Book Review: 'The Kamogawa Food Detectives' by Hisashi Kashiwai

✰✰✰✰ There's a little diner in Kyoto that's well-known, but a little hard to find. Through word of mouth, customers come to the diner in search of a rare treat. Run by a father-daughter duo, the Kamogawa Diner features delicious food. Yet, sometimes a customer is longing for something not on the menu. That's where Koishi Kamogawa and her father come in. If you are feeling nostalgic for a taste of the past, these detectives are in the business of tracking down the ingredients and (hopefully) recreating the dish. Sounds easy enough. Or is it? Sometimes the search for lost recipes is trickier than it sounds.

The Bottom Line: This book is divided up into the search for six lost recipes. From Nabeyaki-Udon to Tonkatsu to Nikujaga, my mouth was watering. Each search is like a short mystery strung together in the overall story of a father and daughter and their daily lives. This is an easy, relaxing read. Although I do wish recipes had been included, this book is enthusiastically recommended for mystery buffs and foodies. This is the first in a series, and I am eagerly looking forward to reading the second installment.

Details: The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai & translated by Jesse Kirkwood. Hardcover published by  G. P. Putnam's Sons in 2023. 208 p. ISBN: 978-0-593-71771-4  

Happy New Year 2025!

 

Happy New Year to all my readers!

I hope 2025 is filled with lots of great reads for everyone! I'm still here writing book reviews when I can. For the new year, I  will be focusing on mysteries, of course, and diving into my new reading love, Japanese literature. I'll still read a fair share of nonfiction books as well due to being in two book clubs. 

And...I'm so excited to announce a new upcoming feature: Author Chat with local authors in my area.

Wishing you all the best!

Note: The awesome free clipart is from Fact FC. Thank you!