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Wednesday, April 10, 2019

April Reading and Writing

I've been reading such a variety of books lately:  fiction, nonfiction, fantasy, mystery, history.

Zora and Langston is proving a much slower read than I would have thought.  There are so many interesting elements about the Harlem Renaissance, about Zora Neale Hurston and Langston Hughes and their backgrounds and their writing that I find it strange that I keep putting it down and reading something else.  Maybe it is that creepy vibe concerning Charlotte Osgood Mason, their patron, that puts me off.  Maybe it is that I know Zora and Langston's friendship will end badly.  Maybe it has something to do with details that slow down the narrative, i.e. concerning the trip through the South.  



Vow of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson was great fun, after I finally settled in.  Dance of Thieves, the first in the series, was a fantasy full of action and suspense with well-drawn characters, and Vow of Thieves was as good or better.  I'm working on the review which will be scheduled for closer to the publication date in August, but I loved this YA fantasy.







If you are interested in WWII, The Liberation of Paris by Jean Edward Smith is one of those nonfiction histories that wouldn't let me read slowly.  Usually nonfiction is a slower process for me, but the way Eisenhower, De Gaulle, and Von Choltitz managed to keep Paris from being destroyed was fascinating reading.  Hitler wanted Paris "defended to the last man" and the city left in rubble, but thankfully the destruction of the city was avoided by some serious maneuvering on the parts of three men.  (Not without the help of others.)

I've written and scheduled this review, but for those interested in WWII, I highly recommend it.

Candace Robb's A Conspiracy of Wolves is as good as her previous books in the Owen Archer series set in the 14th century.  Her research is impeccable, and her characters, plots, and writing make her one of my favorite historical mystery writers.  






These are my favorites so far this month; there have been a couple of others that were good.
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This is National Letter Writing Month and National Poetry Month, and I've been writing letters and reading poetry.  Well, I do some of both every month, but this month I'm trying to do more.   I've also included some excerpts from song lyrics on some of my mail because I do think Paul Simon is a poet.  You can find April's first outgoing mail at Bayou Quilts.

And since I found some Will Rogers postage stamps, using quotes from Will Rogers illustrates how little people and politics have changed: 

“Too many people spend money they haven't earned, to buy things they don't want, to impress people that they don't like.” 

“I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.”






12 comments:

  1. You have been reading a lot of good books! Sorry the Zora and Langston one is going so slow.

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    1. Strange that The Liberation of Paris was such an engrossing read, while Zora and Langston is so easy to pause. I would have assumed it would be the other way around. :)

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  2. It's strange that you never know which book will just grab your attention and refuse to let go.

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    1. I've finished Zora and Langston now, and about half way through it got much more interesting! Such a shame their friendship ended so badly.

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  3. Sounds like you'd a great reading experience with these books. I'm intrigued with Mary E. Pearson's series. :)

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    1. I have a fondness for characters like Kazi, who have so many strengths! :)

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  4. Oh all of these books sound really good. I did not know about Charlotte Osgood Mason - what a bizarre relationship. Can't wait to take a peek at your envelope art! :)

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    1. Mason was generous in her funding, but controlling of time and content. :(

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  5. I've recently started reading true crime non fic books so I know exactly what you mean when you say non fic is a slower read. I love it when I just speed through a non fic book bc I can't get enouhg.

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    1. :) Fiction is usually a greedy process for me, but nonfiction slows me down, making me pause and consider.

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  6. All of these sound good, each one very different from the others. The Liberation of Paris especially intrigues me given my interest in World War II. And the fact that you said it reads faster than nonfiction. Like you, I usually find I read nonfiction more slowly.

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    1. I'm an eccentric and eclectic reader, but I do have favorite genres and history in both fiction and nonfiction interests me. I really liked The Liberation of Paris for giving insight into the situation and into Eisenhower, De Gaulle, and Von Choltitz.

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