As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust by Alan Bradley

(read aloud)

Though we've pronounced Flavia's name wrong through all these books, we are getting to know her better. Attending her mother's old school in Canada, she has instant notoriety, though we don't know precisely why. Minutes after she arrives she is embroiled in a murder mystery. Most of the story is foggy and vague, reflecting her unsettled state in a new country and a new school.

I wouldn't recommend this as a first Flavia read but I wouldn't miss any myself.

The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald

(read aloud)

A thoroughly British take on a small town with rigid class lines and expectations. A middle-aged woman tries to start a bookstore and succeeds, but runs counter to jealous powerful people who are used to having their slightest whims satisfied. Bleak, sad, lonely, suppressed. The final bus ride out of town with the main character was actually a relief Wherever she is headed, I hope she fares well.

Joyland by Stephen King

A story of a young man set in a carnival. A tale of lost love, coming of age, heroism, mystery and murder. With ferris wheels, haunted house, a "real" ghost and several clairvoyant characters. Starting indolently like a warm summer, it grows into an autumn storm with a crackling crescendo ending. Lots of fun.

The Victorian Internet by Tom Standage

The premise of this book is that the introduction of the telegraph was very similar to what has transpired with the internet. The analogy is very engaging.

The author does a wonderful job of capturing the effects and benefits and problems. Good, evil, crime, encryption compression standards, disruption, winners, losers, are all a part of this "new" technology.

A very interesting book.

The Father's Tale by Michael O'Brien

(read aloud)

Very long book with long philosophical ellipses. Probably not a good choice to read aloud. Many good spiritual themes. Parts of the writing are very good but though my friends who recommended this book disagree I think a good editor could have taken this good book and made it a great book, and at two-thirds the length.

The Map that Changed the World by Simon Winchester

William Smith, a self-taught geologist and canal engineer, had the idea of a map that showed the underground strata of England. He collected rocks and fossils of small animals that he used to date the strata. He traveled all over England and spent years making a map and published it; but before it made money for him, he lost everything and was put in debtors prison. With some help from friends he got out of prison. His maps were plagiarized. He left London and lived simply. Eventually his contributions were recognized, he was given official honors with apologies, and made a good financial recovery. So the book has a pleasant ending.

As usual, Winchester keeps the reader's interest. He makes a good case for Smith's importance. He tends to dwell on Christianity holding back scientific discovery because of its insistence on a young earth. It seems to me that there are more innocent explanations, like whole continents were not thought to move, and who thought that tops of mountains were once under oceans!

Girl in Hyacinth Blue by Susan Vreeland

(Listened to audiobook)

Following a painting back in time as it went from person to person back to the artist. Each chapter is a separate story standing on its own with the painting a silent presence observing and being observed, influencing by its beauty and value. Some chapters touching, some much fun, especially as read by gifted actors.