December’s Books

Fill ‘er up by Jim Draeger is a terrific book on the history of gas stations in Wisconsin. There are loads of great photos showing the different types of architecture through the years. The first fifty pages are a history of service stations, the various oil companies, and the evolution from auto repairs to convenience stores. An interesting point was the promotion of clean rest rooms to appeal to the increasing number of woman drivers. The rest of the book devotes two pages to each of a number of stations, scattered throughout the state. There are photos of stations in their heyday, and photos of stations that became ice cream parlors or insurance offices. Very entertaining!

Romanov bride by Robert Alexander. Alexander
The story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski
Lady of the snakes by Rachel Pastan
Red tails in love by Marie Winn
Poe’s children: the new horror by Peter Straub
Fill ‘er up: the glory days of Wisconsin gas stations by Jim Draeger
May day by Jess Lourey
Writing mysteries by Sue Grafton
Make-a-mix by Karine Eliason