The History Book Club discussion

JANUARY
1. In Too Deep Jude Watson
Finish Date: Jan 1 2011
Rating:A
Read this one to my son. Part of a series called The 39 Clues (each with it's own title) of children's books. Each is written by a different author. My son loves them. This is the best written one so far. It is sort of a National Treasure with children solving the clues.

JANUARY

2. Error of the Moon Sara Woods
Finish Date: Jan 2 2011
Rating:B
Read this cozy murder mystery from the 1960s in one day. Part of the Antony Maitland series. Maitland is a former war spy now turned barrister and sleuth. Well written British murder mystery thick on dialague and thin on action. Makes you think things through to understand what is going on through the dialogue. The last Maitland I read was more absorbing, Exit Murderer Sara Woods from later in the series. Woods was very popular in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. I started reading these when I learned that the great Alec Wilder counted her as a favorite author. Alec Wilder

Good for you Garret, great start.

JANUARY

3. In the Blue Light of African Dreams Paul Watkins
Finish date: Jan 6 2011
Rating: A- (B++?)

This is a very good adventure story set just after WWI. The hero is a down and out pilot for the French Foreign Legion. The fist half of the book concerns the mess he has gotten himself into in Africa and the second half his dream to be the first to fly Paris to New York. This one has been on my list for a while. Though not a page turner it is very engaging and a quick read.

Garret, this looks great and I just love your images.

Bentley wrote: "Garret, this looks great and I just love your images."

Thanks!

JANUARY

4. The Poets' Corner: The One-and-Only Poetry Book for the Whole Family John Lithgow

Finish date: Jan 6
Rating:A

I listened to this on audio and followed the poems along on ebook. The audio version is great. Lithgow reads most of it with some famous friends reading one of the two poems by each poet. He gives a short bio and background then an actor reads a poem. Lithgow then makes some remarks about the poem and more remarks about the poet, lists some favorite poems and then reads another poem by the same poet. Ends with a quote from the poet.

Nice to hear the poems read well aloud. Although this is short (the audio is just over 6 hours) it is best done in small doses. I hope to revisit occasionally. Not for young children despite the title.

That sounds great Garret; what fun for short rides in the car for example.

That's exactly how I did a lot of it.

JANUARY

5. The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the ElementsSam Kean

Finished January 8
Rating: B-

I liked this story of the elements, their strange properties and scientific problems and the stories of their discoveries and biographies of the scientists who discovered them

This looks like a great book.

JANUARY
6.Seeker of Knowledge: The Man Who Deciphered Egyptian Hieroglyphs James Rumford(no photo)
Finish date: jan 9
Rating:A
Read this very short bio to my 10 yo son who found this story about the man who deciphered Egyptian Hieroglyphs inspiring.

JANUARY

7. The Golden Goose Dick King-Smith

Finish Date: January 10
Rating: A

Another children's book I read to my 10 yo by the author of Babe: The Gallant Pig Dick King-Smith

This one is short and a cute story that we both liked.

Garret, I just love that you're reading aloud with your 10 year old. Most parents have stopped reading aloud by the time their offspring reach that age.

Jim Trelease (no photo)

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Garret, I just love that you're reading aloud with your 10 year old. Most parents have stopped reading aloud by the time their offspring reach that age.

[bookcover:The Read-Aloud Handbook: Sixt..."

Thanks!

Your books look so interesting, Garret. I've "stolen" a couple of them for myself. Thanks!!

As so many others have said, what a fun list of interesting books! I also have enjoyed Dick King-Smith after discovering him as the author of Babe.

by Dick King-Smith

JANUARY

8. I really should be practicing Gary Graffman

Finish Date: Jan 12
Rating: A- (****)


This is a must for pianists and pianophiles. Gary Graffman , though probably largely forgotten now, was a very successful concert pianist in the 50s, 60s and 70s until a hand injury ended his concert career. This out of print memoir is witty, engaging and an enlightening light read. There are many wonderful and funny anecdotes about some of the legends of the classical music world. My interest did wax and wane in the second half in a few places but I thoroughly enjoyed this one which has been sitting on my shelf for a decade. Here's to hoping he is writing a second volume covering his successful teaching career, left handed concert career and struggle with his injury.

Gary Graffman - Chopin Ballde No. 2

Another one for the to-read list! Thanks, Garret.

January

9. The Old Man and Me Elaine Dundy

Finish Date Jan 15
Rating: A (****)

I enjoyed this a lot. Perhaps the first female anti-hero?

This re-release is not quite as striking as the author's first book The Dud Avocado Elaine Dundy which I read last year.

January

10. Room
Emma Donoghue

Finish Date Jan 16
Rating: A

This harrowing story told by a 5 yo was on most of the 10 best lists for 2010.

Your doing great Garret, some interesting books there as well :)

January
11. The Viper's Nest Peter Lerangis

Finish date: Jan 16
Rating: B

Listened to this with my 10 yo as audiobook. Book 7 in the 39 Clues Series for children.

January

12 The 39 Clues: Book 8 - Audio Gordon Korman

Finish date:Jan 21
Rating: B+

Another good entry in the 39 Clues series. My 10 yo and I listened to this one together. He loves these fun stories.

Thanks Garret - everything is fine now according to format. You are really off to a great start.

February

#13 Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

Finish date:February 1 2011
Rating: A

On lots of 10 best lists for 2010, this is a page turning narrative. Incredible true story of the life of an American Olympic athlete before, during and after WW II.

It may be weak on character development and it's psychoanalysis may fall short but what a well told and incredible story. The audio edition is well read.

Read by Edward Herrmann

February

# 14 The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon read by Peter Riegert

Finish date: Feb 2 2011
Rating: A (****)

Excellent, funny and well read audio edition. Hat tip to Bently.

You are welcome Garret; I found myself laughing aloud in the car; I am sure that folks passing me wondered what I was laughing at. I thought that Riegert was fab.

February



#15 Mr. Midshipman Hornblower by C.S. Forester



Finish date: Feb 4

Rating: Held till after group read

February



#16 Into the GauntletMargaret Peterson Haddix



Finish date: Feb 21

Rating: B ****

Finale to 39 clues, wraps up the series nicely. My son couldn't put it down. He read along with the audio edition, and we listened together.

February



#17 Legacy of Ashes: the History of the CIATim Weiner



Finish date: Feb 28

Rating: held until club reading is over

March



#18 The Mystery of Monster MountainM.V. Carey



Finish date: March 19

Rating: B ***1/2

I read this to my 10 yo son. He loved it and wants to read more from this series.

You read good books to your son, Garrett. I like the whole Three Investigators series.