BOOK REVIEW

Author: Sebastian Junger

Title: A death in Belmont

In ten words or less: Boston police arrest wrong man for murder.

Review: In 1963, a murder took place just a few blocks from the quiet suburban home of Sebastian Junger's family. There was a series of savage murders in the Boston area at that time, and the killer, known as the Boston Strangler, was still at large.

The police liked Roy Smith, a black man who had moved to Boston from the south, for the rape and murder of Mrs. Goldberg, the older suburban housewife. He was arrested, tried, convicted, and sentenced to life on a case that consisted of circumstantial evidence.

Junger, author of 'The perfect storm,' examines the case against Smith. Albert DeSalvo, who later confessed to twelve Boston Strangler killings, had worked as a handyman at the Junger house the day Mrs. Goldberg was murdered. Was it possible DeSalvo could have done that killing also? Had Junger's mother been in danger?

Was justice done in this case? Junder presents a compelling argument that Smith was not guilty of the murder and that DeSalvo was probably not the Boston Strangler. Readers of Simon Winchester and Ann Rule will be interested in this re-telling of events.

Why bother? Junger presents a case in which the cops and legal system were all too eager to convict a black man for a murder in which they had few leads. It's not a new story, but the Junger family proximity to the scene of the crime adds a fresh twist.

BOOK REVIEW

Author: George, Elizabeth

Title: Careless in red

In ten words or less: Lynley finds a body; reluctantly joins investigation

Review: Grieving over his pregnant wife's violent and senseless death. Thomas Lynley takes a solitary walk along the Cornish coast and discovers a body. When he approaches a nearby cottage to use a phone he meets Daidre Trahair, a local vet. When she lies to local police about not knowing the identity of the victim, Lynley wonders what she is hiding. And Lynley is looked upon with suspicion by the local cops--he is unshaven, unwashed, and without identification.

The local detective drafts Lynley to help with inquiries, and Barbara Havers is sent from New Scotland Yard to assist, and to see how Lynley is holding up.

Nicely complicated characters keep the reader interested, although here's hoping for more Lynley/Havers interaction in the next book in the series. And please let there be a next one. Author George has not run out of steam yet.

Why bother? For readers of the series--Lynley and Havers come together again to solve the mysterious death of a young man. It's a welcome return. Readers looking for a gritty story, with plot twists and turns, and well-developed characters need look no further. If you like Colin Dexter's Inspector Morse series, try these.

BOOK REVIEW

Author: Bond, Stephanie

Title: Body movers

In ten words or less: Shallow store clerk and petty criminal brother miss their fugitive parents.

Review: Carlotta and Wesley Wren were abandoned by their parents when their father was accused of embezzlement and jumped bail, leaving with their mother. Carlotta was 18 and Wesley 9 when they left, leaving their children to fend for themselves.
Carlotta overspends her credit cards on designer clothes, steals from her employer, and crashes parties. Wesley doesn't work, hacks into the city computer system, and is in debt to loan sharks for compulsive gambling. They are supposed to be charming and lovable, but they are self-centered and spend money they don't have as if there were no consequences. You want to slap them and tell them to grow up.
They get involved in the murder investigation of Carlotta's former finace's wife. Carlotta is pursued by a hunky detective, a medical examiner with a shady past, and her enormously rich ex-fiance, now a widower. This author is no Janet Evanovich.
Why bother? Don't.

BOOK REVIEW

Author: Barnard, Robert

Title: Last post

In ten words or less: Daughter investigates her dead mother's mysterious past

Review: Eve McNabb returned to her mother's house to put affairs in order upon her mother's death. May McNabb was a well respected school administrator who had raised Eve by herself after the death of her husband. But while Eve was reading condolence letters, she discovers a note that implies a lesbian affair in her mother's past. And, as she hunts down the letter's author, she discovers the truth about her father, also.

Why bother? Barnard, a Diamond Dagger Award winner and author of more than 2 dozen mysteries, does not disappoint.

BOOK REVIEW

Author: Preston, Douglas

Title: Blasphemy: a novel

In 10 words or less: Scientists proving Big Bang theory torn between science and religion.

Review: The world's biggest supercollider, brainchild of Novel laureate Gregory Hazelius, is the most expensive machine ever built. The project is supposed to explore the Big Bang theory--will it explain the mysteries of the universe or will it suck the earth into a black hole?
Reverand Don T. Spates accuses Hazelius of heading a Satanic attempt to disproved the existence of God. Spates recruits right wing evangelicals to confront the scientists in the Arizona desert. The U.S. government calls in CIA operative Wyman Ford to convince the scientist to shut down the experiment.
Preston's other books include "Jennie" and "Tyrannosaurus Canyon." He is also the author, with Lincoln child, of the Special Agent Pendergast mystery series.

Why bother? A science vs. religion thriller--if you liked HAL in Arthur C. Clarke's "2001: A space odyssey" be prepared to meet Isabella.

BOOK REVIEW

Author: Crusie, Jennifer

Title: Getting rid of Bradley

In 10 words or less: Teacher dumps cheating husband; was he a secret criminal?

Review: High school science teacher Lucy Savage divorced her cold-fish husband Bradley when she caught him cheating with a blonde. When Bradley didn't bother to show up at the courthouse, Lucy and her sister went across the street for lunch at a diner. Over her salad, Lucy noticed an unshave, shaggy haired man in a leather jacket. She couldn't help herself--he was disreputable, she was sure. And when he attacked her in the parking lot later....

Why bother? Crusie has written a dozen books, and her light romantic comedies sparkle.

BOOK REVIEW

Author: Kristen Laine

Title: American Band: music, dreams, and coming of age in the Heartland

In ten words or less: Spend a year with a high school marching band.

Review: Laine tells the story of a year in the life of a high school marching band at Concord High School in Elkhart, Indiana. Over 240 students are preparing to defend their state title. It's a remarkable insight into the world of competitive high school marching. Max Jones is the band director, and it is his final year at Concord before he takes a prestigious job at Purdue. The story follows several students--one whose mother has terminal cancer, another who hopes to attend West Point, a young woman who is interested in Israel and Judaism, though there are no Jews attending the school. It is a sampling of life in small town middle America.

The author tries to show how the group grapples with African American music and struggles to play their instruments like black jazz players. There is no sex and no swearing--is this typical of a high school these days?

Why bother? An intimate but selective look at teenagers involved in a competitive music program. Contrast these teens to the ones in William Gilder's "Where the game matters most: a last championship season in Indiana high school basketball," or Ben Joravsky's "Hoop dreams: a true story of hardship and triumph."

April’s Books

One of the best books of the month was Susan Wicklund's "This common secret: my journey as an abortion doctor." Wicklund became an abortion provider when she graduated from medical school. She writes of how she had to sneak into clinics, sometimes in disguise, the death threats, the toll her profession took on her family and marriage. Sometimes the protesters who reviled her sought treatment from her. She spent 20 years making sure women had access to safe and legal abortions. It is the story of a caring and courageous woman.

Max, Gerry. Horizon chasers: the lives and adventures of Richard Halliburton and Paul Mooney
Barnes, Gregory. Biography of Lillian and George Willoughby: twentieth-century Quaker peace activists
Wicklund, Susan. This common secret: my journey as an abortion doctor
Levine, Laura. Killer blonde
Monette, Sarah. The mirador
Kercheval, Jesse Lee. The Alice stories
Rabe, Jean. Fenzig’s forture
Combes. Mark. Running wrecked: a Phil Riley novel
Coben, Harlan. Gone for good
Scahill, Jeremy. Blackwater: the rise of the world’s most powerful mercenary army
Apps, Jerold W. In a pickle: a family farm story
Rock, Rose. Mama Rock’s rules: ten lessons for raising a houseful of successful children
Gasperetti, J.A. Landon’s odyssey
Berghaus, Bob. Black and blue: a smash-mouth history of the NFL’s roughest division
Heth, Edward Harris. My life on earth
Stoob, W. Nervous systems
Koethe, John. The constructor: poems
Standiford, Les. Meet you in hell: Andrew Carnegie, Henry Clay Frick, and the bitter partnership that transformed America

WHAT'S IN THE SUMMER BOOK BAG

These are a few of the titles I'm looking forward to reading this summer--some of these books have yet to be published. The month in parentheses is when they are due out.

Block, Lawrence. Hit and run (June)
One of my favorite authors. This one is about hit man Keller who is looking to retire, after finishing one last job.

Crosley, Sloane. I was told there’d be cake (April)
A book of essays. Tales of a New Yorker in her mid 20s. Reviews have compared her to David Sedaris and Sarah Vowell.

Schilling, Peter. The end of baseball (April)
A novel set in 1944. What if Bill Veeck (former owner of the Cleveland Indians)—he signed the first American League black player, Larry Doby—purchases a major league team and recruited an entire roster of Negro League stars?

George, Elizabeth. Careless in red (May)
A favorite series of mine. Detective Superintendent Thomas Lynley spends 6 weeks alone after the murder of his wife. He then discovers the body of a man who appears to have fallen to his death from a cliff. I especially enjoy the pairing of Lynley and his partner Barbara Havers.

Gillette, Kathy. Firefighterette Gillette (September 2007)
A woman who has been a firefighter for 22 years tells her story. I enjoy biographies of woman in nontraditional careers.

Feldman, Ellen. Scottsboro (April)
A novelization of the infamous Scottsboro case. In 1931, 9 black youths were arrested in Alabama by an irate white mob, accused of raping 2 white girls. They were repeatedly tried and found guilty, although eventually all the men were found innocent and freed—in one case after he had been in prison for 20 years.

Coben, Harlan. Hold tight (April)
A thriller/mystery about parents concerned for their teenage son, after his friend has committed suicide. Plus there is a killer on the loose in the area. Coben is known for his plot twists and turns.

Matloff, Judith. Home girl: building a dream house on a lawless block (June)
A foreign correspondent and her husband buy a fixer-upper brownstone in a rough New York City neighborhood.

Thompson, Christina. Come on shore and we will kill and eat you all: a New Zealand story (July)
An American woman married a Maori man. He was a tradesman from rural poverty; she was a graduate student from the middle class.

Barnard, Robert. Last post (May)
A top British mystery writer’s new novel unravels the secret of a woman’s recently deceased mother.

Hannah is a ten-year-old kitty adopted from the local shelter. She is a shy and quiet girl, and the resident cat, Gypsy, does not like to share. Here's hoping that the two of them will get along. If you are able, please consider adopting an animal from a shelter--many older kitties need homes.

BOOK REVIEW

Title: Mozzarella Most Murderous

Author: Nancy Fairbanks

In ten words or less: Food columnist stumbles upon body while in Italy and investigates.

Review: Carolyn Blue is a homemaker and food columnist from El Paso with two grown children. She can’t wait to accompany her chemist husband, Jason, to Sorrento, Italy, for a conference, and hopes it will be a romantic second honeymoon. But Jason’s plane get grounded in Paris because of a strike, and Carolyn is at the hotel by herself. She strikes up a conversation with a lone Italian woman, Paolina, who is waiting for her lover to arrive, and they spend the day sightseeing and commiserating with each other.
But the next morning Carolyn discovers Paolina’s body in the hotel pool. The authorities are content to write the death off as a suicide, but Carolyn doesn’t agree. With the help of another hotel guest, Bianca, the hugely pregnant wife of another chemist, she is determined to persuade the authorities that Paolina was murdered.

Why bother? Mystery lite, with recipes, which are decidedly not lite. For fans of other foodie mysteries.

MARCH'S BOOKS

These are the books I read in March. Some pretty good nonfiction, some poetry (which I don't usually read), and a really bad romance. Tara Taylor Quinn's "Merry Christmas, Babies" is the story of a beautiful, successful businesswoman who is artificially inseminated and becomes pregnant with quadruplets. Unbelievable as this may be, the most off-putting part of the book is when she has hot, wild sex well-along in her pregnancy with her business partner--up til this point they had not been romantically involved. What WAS the author thinking?

Tisserand, Michael. Sugarcane Academy: how a New Orleans teacher and his storm-struck students created a school to remember
Percy, Benjamin. Refresh, refresh: stories
Campbell, James. Ghost Mountain boys: their epic march and the terrifying battle for New Guinea, the forgotten war of the South Pacific
Jones, Jeffrey. Unaffordable nation: searching for a decent life in America
Olds, Bruce. Moments lost: a Midwest pilgrim’s progress
Holmes, Hannah. Suburban safari: a year on the lawn
Hinkes, Enid. Police cat
Horwitt, Sanford. Feingold: a new Democratic party
Quinn, Tara Taylor. Merry Christmas babies
Eugster, Sandra. Notes from Nethers: growing up in a sixties commune
Jacobson, Douglas. Night of flames: a novel of World War II
Shy, Shoshauna. What the postcard didn’t say
Lurie, Nancy. Mountain Wolf Woman, sister of Crashing Thunder, the autobiography of a Winnebago woman
Cusac, Anne Marie. Silkie: poetry
Potos, Andrea. Yaya’s cloth: poemsErskine, Kathryn. Quaking

"Singin' in the Rain" movie premiere March 27, 1952

How many times have I seen this film? Thirty? Forty? I own the DVD and I still watch whenever it comes on television.

THE BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF TENNESSEE WILLIAMS

March 26, 1911

"Why did I write? Because I found life unsatisfactory."--Tennessee Williams

BOOK REVIEW

Author: Trask, Kerry A.

Title: Black Hawk: the battle for the heart of America.

In ten words or less: Sauk Nation forced into exile; massacre follows.

Review: The Sauk Nation was one of the largest Indian settlements, with a population of 6000 in 1822, located east of the Mississippi River in Illinois. After years of encroachment by white settlers, the Sauks were forced into exile in the west. In the spring of 1832, Black Hawk and his followers crossed the river to reclaim their lands. The uprising ended three months later, in a tragic massacre. Trask examines the actions of Black Hawk and those of his contemporaries in light of white idealization and prejudice about Native Americans.

Why bother? Excellent and very readable examination of a part of American history that gets swept under the rugs in textbooks.

February's Books

These are the books I read last month. One of my favorites is "The Dangerous Book for Dogs," by Joe Garden. The authors are listed on the cover as "Rex and Sparky" but they are actually the folks who bring you The Onion. Even if you haven't read "The Dangerous Book for Boys," which is being parodied here, this book is funny. Included are the formal rules of fetch, building a bed out of your owner's laundry, and how to pick a pill out of peanut butter.

Sikes, T. The artful home
Baker, Ellen. Keeping the house
Niles, D. MacArthur’s War
Junger, S. Death in Belmont
Myers, T. As the world churns
Greenberg. Complete travel detective
Mischler. Blood sweat and cheers
Preston, Douglas. Blasphemy
Seebold. Almost moon
Berg, Elizabeth. Dream when you are feeling blue
Beaton, M.C. Death of a gentle lady
Streckert, Toni. Potluck: home cooking
Molt, Mary. Food for fifty
Maltman, Thomas. Night birds
Curtis, C. Bucking the sarge
Garden, Joe. The dangerous book for dogs
Mitman, Gregg. Breathing space
Goc, Michael J. Hero of the red river

Beyond the Mississippi: A Lewis and Clark Reading Guide

Thomas Jefferson chose Meriwether Lewis to lead an expedition west of the Mississippi River. From 2003-2006, there were events commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Voyage of Discovery. Here are some titles—both nonfiction and fiction—about their journey.

Ambrose, Stephen. Lewis and Clark: voyage of discovery, 1998.
In this companion to “Undaunted Courage,” outstanding photography, maps, and period reproductions invite readers along on the expedition west.

Ambrose, Stephen. Undaunted courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the opening of the American west, 1996
Ambrose pens a tale of politics, adventure, and tragedy as he follows the trail of the Corps of Discovery.

Botkin, Daniel B. Our natural history: the lessons of Lewis and Clark, 1995.
The author compares the west of 1804 to the west of today and the changes brought by industrialization.

Bowen, Peter. Cruzatte and Maria: a Gabriel DuPre mystery, 2001.
Maria’s boyfriend is working on a film crew making a movie about the Lewis and Clark expedition. DuPre discovers the missing journals of Meriwether Lewis.

Carlson, Laurie M. Seduced by the West: Jefferson’s America and the lure of the land beyond the Mississippi, 2003.
Lewis and Clark were preceded in their search for a Northwest Passage by French, Spanish, Russia, and British explorers. The author suggests political and diplomatic motives were at work.

Carter, W. Hodding. Westward whoa: in the wake of Lewis and Clark, 1994.
A lighthearted account of Carter’s attempt to recreate the voyage of Lewis and Clark by rubber raft. Carter and his friend get lost, run out of gas, and have their tent torn down by a tornado.

Cleary, Rita. River walk: a frontier story, 2000.
The first in a series of historical novels about the expedition.

Duncan, Dayton. Lewis and Clark: an illustrated history, 1997.
A companion book to the Ken Burns’ PBS film, with lots of beautiful photos.

Fanselow, Julie. The traveler’s guide to the Lewis and Clark trail, 1994.
Want to follow in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark? This guide suggests a two week itinerary, with history, lodging, sites, and side trips.

Glancy, Diane. Stone heart: a novel of Sacajajwea, 2003.
Told from the perspective of the Shoshone woman who accompanied Lewis and Clark on their journey. Exerpts from the actual Lewis and Clark diaries are interspersed through the book.

Hall, Brian. I should be extremely happy in your company, 2003.
An historical novel of the journey, focusing on Lewis, Clark, and Sacajawea. Booklist compares Hall’s writing to that of Cormac McCarthy.

The Lewis and Clark journals: an American epic of discovery, ed. By Gary E. Moulton, 2003.
An abridgment of the 13 volume edition of the journals, by the leading Lewis and Clark scholar.

MacGregor, Greg. Lewis and Clark revisited: a photographer’s trail, 2003.
Photographs of the path traveled by the Corps of Discover, and capturing the images of what 200 years of habitation has done to the area.

Tubbs, Stephanie Ambrose. The Lewis and Clark companion: an encyclopedic guide to the voyage of discovery, 2003.
An encyclopedia of all things relating to Lewis and Clark—what they ate, where they camped, and the people they met along the way.

BOOK REVIEW

Author: Martin, Lee

Title: The Bright Forever

In ten words or less: A child’s disappearance is explained from difference viewpoints.

Nine year old Katie disappears on her way to return her library books. There are two suspects— creepy ex-con Raymond and Mr. Dees, a middle aged math teacher. The story is told from the perspectives of various characters, including Katie’s parents, her brother, Raymond and his wife, and Mr. Dees. This is not a traditional mystery, but a look inside the minds and motivations of the characters, and you are kept in suspense until the end.

Why bother? Everyone sees life through a different lens, and witnesses to a crime each see something unique. Readers of Ruth Rendell and fans of the tv series “Law and Order: Criminal Intent” will appreciate this novel.

BOOK REVIEW

Author: Pinkwater, Daniel.

Title: Looking for Bobowicz: a Hoboken chicken story

In ten words or less: Nick searches for bicycle thief; hears rumors of giant chicken.

As soon as Nick and his family moved to Hoboken, New Jersey, his bike was stolen. He is sure a mysterious phantom has taken it, but as he investigates, he finds no one will talk about it. In the basement of the house next door, he finds two new friends—they drink soda, read comic books, and listen to a pirate radio station. And then Nick reads about the 266 pound chicken that used to run loose in Hoboken. The friends ask the local librarian to help them find out what happened to the bird. This story is written for 8-12 year olds, but adults will love it, too. It’s even better to get the CD and listen to Pinkwater read the book himself.

Why bother? Daniel Pinkwater has sly humor, and doesn’t write down to children. Everyone will like this tale, including fans of the mythical giant chicken.

NO JOY IN MUDVILLE

Brett Favre today announced his retired from pro football. Since the media here in the frozen tundra cover the Green Bay Packers all year round, what will be filling the newspapers, and the air time? No doubt speculation on Favre's replacement. Who will it be?

BOOK REVIEW

Author: Hribal, C. J.

Title: “The Company Car.”

In ten words or less: Dysfunctional city family moves to a farm.

Emil (Emmie) is one of seven children of Wally and Susan Marie Czabek, and is meeting with his siblings do decide if their elderly parents are still able to live on their own. The story of his parents marriage is told through a series of reminisces and conversations Emmie has with his wife, Dorie.
Married after World War II, Wally and Susan Marie begin life in a new suburb of Chicago, with Wally on the road all week as a traveling salesman and his wife tending to the increasing family. In the late sixties, Wally decides to uproot the family and move to a farm in Augsbury, Wisconsin, a fictional town in the Fox River Valley.
Wally is a planner, a dreamer, and none of his farming attempts are successful. The implementation of his plans falls to his long suffering wife and children, as he continues to travel and spend time at bars. The author is a great storyteller, and the tales of one misadventure after another are hilarious. Why Susan Marie stays with Wally is a question the children ask, when they are old enough, and perhaps the parents are asking themselves the same question.
Local readers may try to puzzle out exactly where the Czabeks have settled. The Butte des Morts bridge is mentioned, as is Appleton, Neenah and other area cities. Author C. J. Hribal has said in interviews that Augsbury is a combination of several towns in the area. Although the book is fiction, Hribal himself was born in Chicago, raised on a farm in Wisconsin, and graduated from St. Norbert College.

Why bother? Fans of Richard Russo, Anne Tyler, and John Irving would enjoy this family saga, with its cast of characters that is familiar to any baby boomer.

Dexter

The new tv series, “Dexter,” now on CBS, is in its second season on Showtime. Based on the novels of Jeffry P. Lindsay, “Dexter” follows Dexter Morgan, a blood spatter analyst with the Miami Police Department. But Dexter has a secret—he is also a serial killer, who selects victims that have committed horrible crimes, but have eluded police. He is judge, jury, and executioner.

Lindsay’s three Dexter novels are: Darkly Dreaming Dexter (2004), Dearly Devoted Dexter (2005), and Dexter in the Dark (2007). They are available on audiobook, narrated by Nick Landrum. In an interview, Landrum confessed that they were his least favorite books to narrate, as they were so violent and dark.

Based on the first episode, the creators of the tv series are sticking pretty close to the books. Although there are chopped up bodies, they aren’t any bloodier or gorier than on CSI or Law and Order. The characters are very close to the books version—the suspicious cop, the ambitious but slightly clueless sister, the girlfriend who is a survivor of a violent marriage. You don’t want to like Dexter, but to be honest, you hope he’ll give the bad guys what they deserve.

IT'S TAX TIME AT THE LIBRARY

Minister of War: Gentlemen. Gentlemen. Enough of this. How about taking up the tax?

Firefly: How about taking up the carpet?

Minister of War: I still insist we must take up the tax.

Firefly: He's right. You've got to take up the tacks before you can take up the carpet.

--From the Marx Brothers, "Duck Soup"

BOOK REVIEW

Author: Vowell, Sara

Title: Assasination vacation

In ten words or less: History nerd visits presidential assassination sites.

Vowell, a contributor to NPR’s “This American Life,” visits places connected to three presidential assassinations—those of Abraham Lincoln, William McKinley, and James Garfield. Vowell describes herself as a history nerd, and she writes with feeling and humor about her subjects.

Why bother? Vowell is a witty storyteller, and –let’s face it—is a whole lot younger than most of the authors who write about history. A refreshing take on what we know about America’s past.

CLUELESS ABOUT THE OSCARS

I've always been a movie fan, but last year I didn't get to see many of the nominated films. In fact, I saw only three: Sicko, No Country for Old Men, and Michael Clayton. And I saw Michael Clayton last weekend at the cheap theater. So I can't really make any predictions, except maybe that I'll being going to the movies a lot more next year.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Regarding Amazon's Kindle e-book reader:

"It doesn't matter how good or bad the product is, the fact is that people don't read anymore."
--Steve Jobs

Great Backyard Bird Count

http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/

This last weekend was the Great Backyard Bird Count. My yard had pretty slim pickings--30 house sparrows, 2 black capped chickadees, and one cardinal. Maybe the frisky squirrels scared the birds away. But when I went out for lunch, I saw a bald eagle flying over the river. Kind of made up for it.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"What is reading but silent conversation."

--Walter Savage Landor

LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW

Big snowstorm here in the northwoods yesterday. Had to drive back from a meeting two hours away, and the trees were frosted with snow, and looking quite lovely and tranquil. Unfortunately, the landscape was also dotted with day-glo billboards shouting, "State's largest adult superstore!" But anyway, it made me think of Robert Frost's poem. Another foot of snow is predicted for Sunday.

Stopping by woods on a snowy evening
By Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer

To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there is some mistake.

The only other sound's the sweep

Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

YOU BACK THE ATTACK! WE'LL BOMB WHO WE WANT!

Anniversary of the Dresden Firebombing, February 13, 1945

Allied firebombing caused a firestorm that destroyed the city and killed 135,000.

It's a good time to re-read (or read for the first time) Kurt Vonnegut's "Slaughterhouse-Five; or, The Children's Crusade, a duty-dance with death." His book was partially based on his experience as an American prisoner of war in Dresden during the firebombing.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S BIRTHDAY

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Allow the president to invade a neighboring nation, whenever he shall deem it necessary to repel an invasion, and you allow him to do so whenever he may choose to say he deems it necessary for such a purpose - and you allow him to make war at pleasure. --Abraham Lincoln

Smoked Sturgeon
February is sturgeon harvesting month on Lake Winnebago

· Ingredients:
· 1 Filet of a 4 foot sturgeon
· Brine
· 1 Tsp. Garlic Powder
· 3 Cloves of Garlic, Sliced (Fairly thin)
· 1 cup Soy sauce
· 1 cup brown sugar
· 1/2 cup Non-iodized Salt
Dissolve ingredients in Large glass mixing bowl. Cross cut sturgeon into 1/2 " Strips. Add fish strips to brine marinade, cover, and refrigerate 3-5 hours.
Rinse in cold water and pat dry with a cotton towel. Sprinkle lightly with course ground black pepper.
Place fish loosely in preheated smoke, using flavored wood chips of your choice. Do Not pack meat tightly on racks.
Smoke 4-8 hours (8-12 hours for Sturgeon Jerky)

QUOTE OF THE DAY

It is an important and popular fact that things are not always what they seem. For instance, on the planet Earth, man had always assumed that he was more intelligent than dolphins because he had achieved so much - the wheel, New York, wars and so on - whilst all the dolphins had ever done was muck about in the water having a good time. But conversely, the dolphins had always believed that they were far more intelligent than man - for precisely the same reasons.

Douglas Adams, The Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy

COMING UP: THE 25TH INSECT FEAR FILM FESTIVAL

This year's film festival, held on the University of Illinois campus, will feature the films, "The Bee Movie," and "Antz." There will be a question and answer session with Simon Smith, director of "The Bee Movie." Always a good time, and it's free!

READ ANY GOOD SCI FI LATELY?

The science fiction I’ve read tends to be humorous and deal with aliens. Favorites are Douglas Adams, Spider Robinson, and Roger Zelazny. I enjoy watching science fiction movies, especially those dealing with giant insects that are devouring the earth. (I attend the “Insect Fear Film Festival” at the University of Illinois in February). But there aren’t a lot of books with this theme.
I recently picked up “The Interlopers” by Alan Dean Foster. An archaeologist on a dig in South America discovers ancient writings. When back in the US, he has a chemist mix up a batch of a secret potion described in the writings. After drinking the mysterious liquid, the archeologist can see that many natural substances, such as stones and plants, harbor disgusting creatures with slimy bodies and little pointy teeth . When someone brushes up against a stone, the creature will jump on them and become a parasite, and suck out their vital juices, ala Dr. Strangelove. The person will then become cranky or possibly murderous.
The fact that he can now see the creatures and evade their tentacles and fangs angers the creatures, and they invade his wife, Kelli. She lies near death at the hospital when the archaeologist is visited by a member of The Society, a group formed to battle the creatures. Together they attempt to rid Kelli of her parasites and avert a world war.

I generally enjoyed Foster’s writing, characters, and dialog. The setting was unimportant except for the beginning and end of the book. I would have liked the creatures better had they been a long dormant biological terror, mutant insects, or alien beings, although I’m not really sure what they were. They were more fully described than any of the characters in the book.

Some suggestions for similar books are:

Michael Crichton, “Prey.” Stay-at-home dad Jack Forman is hired as a consultant at Xymos, a biotechnology firm. They produce nanoparticles, tiny manmade machinery, that have run amok and threaten to destroy life as we know it. This would be a meatier read than “The Interlopers;” Crichton goes into depth describing the scientific basis of his novels.

Stephen King, “Desperation.” A rogue cop waylays travelers on the road through tiny Desperation, Nevada. But he is no ordinary cop, he is possessed by the evil force Tak, who will take human souls and turn them into killers. More well developed characters and evil forces than in Foster’s book.

Jonathan Aycliffe, “The Talisman.” A statue recovered from a Babylonian ruin has evil influences over Tom Alton’s family.

Bentley Little, “The Return.” Excavations at an Anasazi pueblo site uncovers pottery shards that portray contemporary people who are working at or living near the site. A series of horrible deaths are believed to be the work of the ancient Mongollon Monster.

Michael Talbot, “The Bog.” An archaeologist excavates bodies from a peat bog—they are all over centuries old and have something horrible in common.

Jack Cady, “Haunting of Hood Canal” The body of a child molester is dumped into the water of Hood Canal, unleashing a deadly fury in its depths. The water then begins sucking cars into its vortex, and an evil force takes over the peaceful town.

Greg Bear, “Blood Music.” A genetic engineer creates microscopic genetic computers and injects them into his own bloodstream. From Kirkus, “Bear fans know he can outwrite nearly all SF competitors and go so deep into science that few readers can follow…”

Howard V. Hendrix, “Better Angels.” An alien artifact is discovered in the LaBrea tarpits, proving that the earth was visited by an advanced civilization during the prehistoric era.

BOOK REVIEW

Title: The Other Schulman: A Novel

Author: Zweibel, Alan

In ten words or less: Overweight pencil-pusher decides to train for New York marathon.

Shulman, the overweight owner of a stationery store in Fort Lee, New Jersey, is having a mid-life crisis. The kids are grown, his loving wife seems distant, and his store is losing money. What he needs is a cause, an event, something to turn his life around.

When he learns of a six month training program for the New York marathon, Shulman signs up. It will give him a goal, he might get in shape, and it will raise money for a good cause –AIDS research. His family and friends think he’s crazy.

Besides, hasn’t he been losing and gaining the same thirty pounds for years? So many years, in fact, that added together it would make another whole person—another Shulman. Another Shulman that he has carried around for years like so much excess baggage. Another Shulman that he doesn’t like very much.

Author Alan Zweibel wrote this book in 26.2 chapters, one chapter for each mile of the marathon. If this novel seems more like a screenplay or an extended comedy routine, it’s because author Zweibel is better known for his work as a writer on ‘Saturday Night Live’ and ‘It’s Gary Shandling’s Show.’ He also collaborated with Billy Crystal on Crystal’s one man show, ‘700 Sundays.’

Readers who enjoy angst-filled comedy set in New York (Woody Allen fans?) will be cheering Shulman on to finish line in this book.

Why bother? A thoroughly enjoyable adventure with a hapless hero.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"I'd never known anyone who wrote. Indeed, I knew few people who read."

--Truman Capote

ONLY IN THE FROZEN TUNDRA...

The local Green Bay television station had a feature warning of the dangers of going barechested at the Packers' game. The weather forecast for Sunday's game is a high of 6 degrees, snow flurries, and a wind chill of minus ten degrees. To be sure, there will be a cadre of beer-soaked, soft-bellied men, shirtless and shouting "woo hoo." This is mandatory, like Uncle Sam on the Fourth of July, or Santa Claus at Christmas. The Red Cross will be at the ready with nipple defrosters for Cheesehead casualties.

WE Wisconsinites always like to defeat a New York team, and there have been so few chances lately.

Book Review

Author: Gantos, Jack.

Title: Love curse of the Rumbaughs

In ten words or less: Obsessive mother love meets taxidermy.

Review:

Is Ivy doomed to follow in the footsteps of the elderly twin pharmacists who live across the street? Is heredity or environment more powerful? As she grew up, she realized that Abner and Adolph were a little strange, but they were kind to her and her mother. It came as a shock to her, when on her 16th birthday, her mother revealed to her that one of the men (she did not know which one) was her father. And while Ivy loved her mother greatly, was she bound to follow in the footsteps of the twins, who kept their mother after her death, preserved by taxidermy? With its gothic overtones and very dark humor, this young adult novel is not for everyone.

Why bother? If Stephen King and V.C. Andrews met on the set of "Psycho," this might have been the result. It's funny, and a little wistful, but totally original.

BOOK REVIEW

Savage, Sam. Firmin: adventures of a metropolitan lowlife.

In ten words or less: Rat learns to read and contemplates the meaning of life.

Born in a run-down bookstore in Boston’s Scollay Square, Firmin the rat discovers a taste for literature. While competing with his many siblings for food, Firmin discovers that great books can be quite tasty. It’s while he’s munching on Shakespeare and Dickinson that his hidden talent for reading emerges.
After a life threatening encounter with the bookseller, Firmin is adopted by an eccentric science fiction author. Definitely not a book for children, Firmin’s black humor and literary commentary will appeal to readers who enjoy the, ahem, weird.

Why bother? A unique perspective on life and literature from a world weary rodent.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"I've come to the reluctant but inescapable conclusion that roughly 50% of the adults in this country are simply too ignorant and functionally incompetent to be living in a free society. You might think I'm off base, but every day around half the people in this country go out of their way to prove me right."--Neal Boortz, "Somebody's Gotta Say It."

I am not a Neal Boortz fan, but the people in the library are a good example of this.

BOOK REVIEW

Title: Clemente

Author: David Maraniss

In ten words or less: Terrific biography of the Pittsburgh Pirate great.

Review: Roberto Clemente was the first great Latin American baseball star. The right fielder with the amazing arm spent 18 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, and died in 1972 in a tragic plane crash, while delivering relief supplies to Nicaraguan earthquake victims. “Clemente never held anything back from the people and gave them more than they had any right to expect from him,” said Joe Brown, Pirates general manager.

Author David Maraniss is a Washington Post staff writer who has written other books, including “First in his class: a biography of Bill Clinton,” (1995) and the Pulitzer Prize winning “When pride still mattered: a life of Vince Lombardi” (1999).

Why bother? Much more than a sports biography—insightful profile of a complex man and the insidious racism of major league baseball.

Insect Fear Film Festival

It's time once again for my favorite film festival. It's about seven hours from the northwoods to Champaign-Urbana, so I hope the weather holds. The theme this year is Japanese insect movies--a tribute to Mothra. For more information, go to http://www.life.uiuc.edu/entomology/egsa/ifff.html

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"I had no shoes, and I felt sorry for myself until I met a man with no feet. I took his shoes. Now I feel better." --George Carlin

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"And yet you come bringing me Fink-Nottles. Is this the time for Fink, or any other kind of Nottle?"--P.G. Wodehouse, "Right Ho, Jeeves."

BOOK REVIEW

Title: Ladies’ Man

Author: Suzanne Brockmann

In ten words or less: Handsome young cop falls for older single mother in danger.

Review: Ellen, an English professor at Yale, has a summer fling in New York City with a gorgeous, younger cop named Sam. But will Sam be able to protect her from a deranged stalker? Sam meets Ellen when he is mistaken for a famous author who has agreed to write her uncle’s biography. Fresh from a divorce, Ellen is escaping her suburban Connecticut home for a summer in the city, where she hopes to switch careers and become an actress. After a quick sexual encounter in a limousine, Sam is in love, but Ellen wants just a fling. Who prevails?

Why bother? Romance and danger combine for a satisfying read.

BOOK REVIEW

Title: Clearing Customs

Author: Martha Egan

In ten words or less: Gift shop owner is targeted by customs officials.

Review: Folk art dealer Beverly Parmentier is being pursued by crooked agents from the U.S. Customs Service. Beverly is an honest businesswoman who can't figure out why her store is being targeted or why she is being followed, even on a rafting trip on the Yampa River. Could it be that she spoke out on behalf of a fellow importer unjustly accused of smuggling? Or is it her Peace Corps background and her ex-hippie lifestyle?

Martha Egan wrote this novel in 1988 in response to the U.S. customs Service war on small import businesses. Egan was raised in DePere, WI and is a graduate of St. Joseph's Acacemy in Green Bay.

Why bother? Great combination of humor and mystery with a dash of over zealous government agents thrown in for good measure.

BOOK REVIEW

Title: Holmes on the Range

Author: Steve Hockensmith

In ten words or less: Two cowboys solve a murder a la Sherlock Holmes.

Review: Gustave "Old Red" Amlingmeyer is a Montana cowboy who dreams of being the Sherlock Holmes of the American frontier. With winter fast approaching and no income to rely on, Old Red and his younger brother Otto "Big Red" hire on as hands at the Bar-VR Ranch. After a stampede, the body of the ranch manager is found, an apparent murder. Soon another man is discovered to have committed suicide--or is it more foul play?
The sights and sounds of the 1890s American west come alive in this mystery-meets-western. This is a first novel from Hockensmith, who is a contributor to Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine and Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine.

Why bother? The strange blend of mystery and western works well, because of the likeable brothers.

LOBSTER BOIL WITH ELVIS

That was the sign outside a resort in the Wisconsin Dells this past weekend. Was the lobster named Elvis? Was Elvis boiling lobsters from beyond? So much to ponder.

BOOK REVIEW

Title: Cinderella Pact: a Novel

Author: Sarah Strohmeyer

In ten words or less: Overweight friends support each other while trying to lose weight.

Review: Nola Devlin is an editor at Sass! magazine but feels her ideas are not seriously considered because she is overweight. When she turns in sample columns under he own name, she is sure they get tossed straight in the trash. But when she invents sexy Belinda Apple, and submits her identical columns with a picture of the oh-so-trendy Belinda attached, her editor at Sass! is salivating at the thought of snagging Belinda as a contributor.
While the mysterious Belinda is penning columns on weight loss, style, and sex, Nola is making a pact with her two best friends to get in shape over the next six months. Nola has no social life, so what does she have to lose? And her younger sister is sure that Nola is envious of her upcoming wedding, and asks "Belinda" to be her maid of honor.
And then...a handsome computer geek named "Chip" shows some interest in Nola. Is he for real? Lightweight fluff, but readable and fun.

Why bother? Perfect paperback to bring with you on a weekend getaway.

PUGS ON HALLOWEEN

Ruby is not every happy about dressing up for Halloween.

BOOK REVIEW

Title: Out of the Frying Pan, into the Choir: a Ruby, the Rabbi's wife mystery

Author: Sharon Kahn

In ten words or less: The murder of a choir member has Ruby investigating.

Review: Temple Rita's choir has a trip to Lake Louise and Banff scheduled but Temple busybody Essie Sue thinks that funds have fallen short. She hires paty planner/grief counselor Bitsy to co-ordinate latke sales in support of the trip.
The choir's lead soprano Serena Salit collapses and dies during the next concert. But the train trip must go on, and despite a warning from her policeman boyfriend, Ruby--rabbi's widow and amateur sleuth--boards the train.
There are plenty of suspects, from Serena's ex-husband to a womanizing tenor. And when Ruby spots a body as she is taking photos from the back of the train, she begins to fear for her safety.
This is a great "kosher cozy"--plenty of humor and Ruby is a thoroughtly likeable heroine.

Why bother? A lighthearted cozy guaranteed to bring a smile. The authors website is http://www.sharonkahn.com

BOOK REVIEW

Title: Cross Bones: A Temperance Brennan mystery

Author: Kathy Reichs

In ten words or less: A skeleton leads Tempe to Israel, seeking an ancient tomb.

Review: After an Orthodox Jew is murdered, a mourner gives Tempe a photograph of a skeleton, and hints it is a clue to the crime. An anthropologist friend tells Tempe the photo was taken in Israel, and the skeleton may be linked to an ancient tomb, one that arguably belongs to the family of Jesus. And are the bones the remains of James, the brother of Jesus?
Reichs combines the elements of a good mystery with history and archeology. "The Da Vinci Code" fans should check out this book.

Why bother? Tempe Brennan fans will not be disappointed, but it's not necessary to read the earlier books in the series to enjoy this one.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside a dog, it's too dark to read."
--Groucho Marx

BOOK REVIEW

Title: Nerds Like it Hot

Author: Vicki Lewis Thompson

In ten words or less: Witness to a murder hides on a nerds only cruise.

Review: Hollywood makeup artist Gilliam McCormick witnesses a suspect leaving a murder scene. The victim is actor Theo Patterson, and the murderer is Neil Rucker, who lost the starring role that Theo won. To complicate matters, Neil is the stopson of a notorious mobster.

In a panic, Gilliam flees to the home of octogenarian actress Cora, who hires two hot young bodyguards and helps Gilliam to transform herself into a Marilyn Monroe look-alike. They book passage on an "all nerds" cruise.

Most of the cruise is spent trying to figure out if Gilliam is being tailed by a mafia hitman. Included are some humorous situations and hot sex.

Why bother? For fans of romance who like it light, funny, and steamy.

BOOK REVIEW

Title: The Highly Effective Detective

Author: Richard Yancey

In ten words or less: Security guard turned detective investigates the killing of goslings.

Review: Teddy Ruzak always wanted to be a detective, but after he washed out of the police academy, he took a job as a security guard on the night shift. Not endowed with a lot of ambition or drive, there he stayed until his mother died.
He used the money from the sale of her house to bankroll his detective agency. He didn't know he needed a license when he accepted his first case--the hit-and-run murder of a gaggle of goslings. He's in over his head from the beginning.
Ruzak is a likable if somewhat pathetic character--his heart is in the right place but he realizes he doesn't want to do any more work than he has to.

Why bother? A detective for the rest of us--not handsome, fearless, or brilliant--but an average guy in over his head. A refreshing change from the detective-as-superhero.

RESPONDING TO 'THE HATERS'

"You spill love and calm and reassurance....For those of us who have not mastered this advanced technique, a Revolution in Favor of Kindness and Libraries seems like a nice idea."
--Molly Ivins, August 28, 2006

BOOK REVIEW

Title: Lost in the Forest

Author: Sue Miller

In ten words or less: A sudden death affects all members of a family.

Review: Eva is happily remarried, with two daughters by her ex-husband and a small son with her current spouse John. When John is killed in a car accident, the family is thrown into chaos. Eva draws closer to her ex-husband, little Theo doesn't believe his daddy is gone forever, and teenage Daisy is drawn into a sexually abusive relationship with the husband of her mom's best friend. There is graphic sexual description and not the happy ending expected, but characters come to terms with their losses.

Why bother? Fans of domestic fiction by authors like Jane Smiley and Anne Tyler will appreciate the emotion in this story of a family torn apart.

BOOK REVIEW

Title: Bookmarked to Die

Author: Jo Dereske

In ten words or less: Humorous mystery featuring humorless librarian solving crimes at work.

Review: Helma Zukas is a 40-something librarian with a relationship with the Chief of Police Wayne Gallant and a suspicious stray cat she has never named. Her library director feels Helma isn't a team player, and orders her to attend a series of self-improvement workshops. And when she organizes a program on local authors, one of them is murdered afterwards. To top it off, her cat is kidnapped and Chief Gallant's ardor is cooling.
This is not the strongest entry in the Miss Zukas series but it's good to see her back.

Why bother? Mystery 'lite' features a likeable if prickly librarian who likes to keep her relationships on a professional level.

BOOK REVIEW

Author: Jane Heller

Title: Some Nerve

In ten words or less: Humorous romance between celebrity journalist and the actor she stalks.

Review: As a celebrity journalist at "Famous" magazine, Ann Roth is about to lose her job unless she can come up with the big interview with reclusive actor Malcolm Goddard. After a disastrous attempt to bribe her way into his favor, he agrees to an interview when she threatens to publishe a not-quite-truthful story about him. But her phobia of flying prevents her from showing up for the interview.
When Ann is fired for not obtaining the story, Ann heads home to small-town Missouri until she can find another job. But surprise! Who shows up but Goddard, checked into the local hospital under an assumed name. A little too much mean spirited deceitin this story to make it totally enjoyable, but a quick, glitzy read for those who enjoy "People" magazine.

Why bother? If you want a smar, celebrity-packed romance, this is it. Not one of Heller's best, but since Olivia Goldsmith's death, Heller leads the pack when it comes to witty romances with plenty of glam.

Jane Heller's website is at http://www.janeheller.com

MOVIE REVIEW

Title: Good luck

Review: Vincent D’Onofrio and Gregory Hines

Seattle Seahawks star receiver Anthony “Olee” Olezniak (D’Onofrio) receives a life-altering injuring during a game—he is blinded by a freak spinal cord injury. After almost a year, he hasn’t adjusted at all to his blindness, and when his ex-lover writes a tell-all book about him, he flies into a rage and throws his furniture out the window.
Geeky dental technician Bernard Lemley, who was paralyzed when a drunk driver ran into his car weeks before his graduation from dental school, was Olee’s biology tutor in college. He asks Olee to go on a whitewater rafting trip with him, to prove that gimps can do challenging outdoor activities. Olee feels he is being used because of his celebrity, but agrees only if Lem agrees to no publicity until after the trip.
Olee complains to Lem at the outset that he hasn’t been to a party, had an erection, or a decent bowel movement since his accident. There is crude toilet and sexual humor here, and a flash of tits at the beginning of the movie, but D’Onofrio and Hines have great chemistry and the buddy story clicks. One of my favorite actors from “Barney Miller,” Max Gail, appears as a marijuana farmer. I borrowed this film from the library, and enjoyed it enough to purchase the DVD.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"When women write about sex it's called erotica. When men write erotically it's called the sports page.
--Lisa Beth Kovetz, Publishers Weekly, September 9, 2006

MOVIE REVIEW

Title: A Prairie Home Companion

Folks who haven’t listened to “A Prairie Home Companion” won’t get the in-jokes, so I can’t speak for them. But I’m a big Lily Tomlin fan, and she and Meryl Streep were spot-on as the aging gospel singing sisters. I can’t say I’ve ever seen Woody Harrelson in anything other than a couple of episodes of “Cheers,” but I laughed so hard at his comedy routine with John C. Reilly, I had tears in my eyes. And the jokes were real groaners! But Harrelson’s expression is what did it for me. That sly grin and the look of innocence that precedes a joke that should have been left unspoken. And Keillor is Keillor—pretty much the same on screen as he is on radio.