elderberrywine – Page 27 – Cannonball Read 17

I Like the Cut of this Guy’s Jib

Shadow of the Silk Road by Colin Thubron

March 1, 2022 by elderberrywine Leave a Comment

When I was younger, I adored maps. (OK, still do.) At that time, one could check out bound collections of the National Geographic from the local library, and it was the 1920s – 40s collections that enthralled me, because they had maps. Glorious detailed maps, where there were plenty of empty areas, and the idea that no one knew what was actually there enthralled me. No one connected with the National Geographic Society, at least. And one of my favorite such zones was Central Asia. […]

Fiction or no? Doesn’t matter, SO good!

Storm by George R. Stewart

January 31, 2022 by elderberrywine Leave a Comment

Some things about California never change. Water is the essential element in this state, and there is always either too much or not enough. And sometimes the difference between these two states can be measured in a matter of hours. Much like our recent storm, this one sprang up mid-Pacific, got shoved down by frigid air from the Canadian prairie, and ended up in northern California, dumping rain through the mid-state and heavy snow in the Sierras, with some rain heading off to southern California, […]

Island Time

The Color of Air by Gail Tsukiyama

January 13, 2022 by elderberrywine Leave a Comment

I’ve been to Hawaii twice in my life: once in my early 20s, and the other time a family vacation about 5 years ago. And both times I was fortunately to be able to spend some time in Hilo, on the big island. It is absolutely my favorite place on the islands – old school, totally laid back, and very few tourists. I don’t think it changed a whit during the forty-odd years in between my two trips. And that is probably why I enjoyed […]

Pure-blooded animals for the Aryan to kill? Let’s get right on that.

The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman

January 5, 2022 by elderberrywine 2 Comments

During the late 1930s, Antonina and Jan Źabiński, along with their young son Ryś, were leading an idyllic life as caretakers of a small zoo, set in a parklike setting on the bank of the Vistula River in the Old Town of Warsaw, Poland. Antonina had a special gift for dealing with animals in need, and their villa, on the zoo grounds, was full of animals that need a bit of extra help, including Ryś’ pet badger, and was fondly known as “The House Under […]

Ponyboy? Seriously?

The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton

December 30, 2021 by elderberrywine Leave a Comment

I was familiar with this book as it is used extensively in junior high and high schools, especially for “reluctant readers”, but I’d never read it. It meets the primary requirement of being short, and theoretically speaks to the “youth these days” demographic. Except no. Instead I got a “hello fellow kids” vibe from it. And not just because it’s dated (1967). My main quibble is that it seemed so set up to me. There used to be an author, Gary Paulsen, who specialized […]

Wait for it, wait for it. . .

Good Behavior by Molly Keane

December 22, 2021 by elderberrywine 2 Comments

As we meet Aroon St. Charles, she has just served a lovely luncheon of delicate rabbit’s broth to her very elderly mother. Alas, the elder Mrs. St. Charles can’t abide even the scent of the stuff, and promptly keels over and dies. Not to let such a delicious treat go to waste, Aroon finishes it off. Well, now, that seems a little cold-blooded, no? Ah, but richly deserved. Aroon was been born into the impoverished Irish gentry. They are down to slowly selling off the […]

Zirza on A Gothic Classic for a ReasonIt's one of those wish-you-could-read-it-again-for-the-first-time books. I loved it.
Emmalita on “It came to something when you found yourself hoping that the footsteps you heard were ghosts.”I loved the ending! I don’t think it’s been out long enough to talk about why though.
Dixie on Track Her Down by Melinda LeighI am just starting Track Her Down and I have read them all in order till now and thought I...
Roland of Gilead on How can you give us the gift of a crazy character named Rando Thoughtful and then just as suddenly take that gift away? We need to talk, Uncle Stevie.I came across this randomly years after it was written because I was searching "Random Thoughtful. But I have the...
Emmalita on “Only you, Em, would refer to heartbreak as a distraction. I think I would have a more sympathetic response if I asked to marry a bookcase.”Oh my goodness, Gallifrey was beautiful. I’m sure her mittens were gloriously murdery.

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