Monday, September 11, 2017

Book Club Selection 2017-18

Hero of the Empire by Candice Millard, led by Carolyn A., September 11, 2017

Being Mortal by Atul Gawande, led by Norma Bruce, October 2, 2017

The immortal life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot,led by Bev, November 6, 2017

Hidden Figures, by Margot Lee Shetterly, led by Justine F., December 4, 2017

January (cancelled, bad weather, Leopard at the Door)

The Worst Hard Time, by Timothy Egan, led by Carolyn C. February 5, 2018

The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu by Joshua Hammer, led by Jean, March 5, 2018

Hillbilly Elegy, by J. D. Vance, led by Adrienne, April 2, 2018

Cod, by Mark Kurlansky, led by Peggy May 7, 2018 (see movie Captains Courageous)

Thursday, March 2, 2017

More books headed for new owners

Maybe I should rename this blog, "Off my Bookshelves." Some of these I read three decades ago, and haven't opened since.  I've been dusting them (occasionally).  Others I've used off and on for reference.

 Christian

Willard.  The divine conspiracy
Palms.  God guides your tomorrows.  PB
Smith.  The Christian's secret of a happy life. PB
Mow.  Your child.

Luther and Lutherans--these will go to the church.

Nelson. The Lutherans in North America. rev. ed. 1980.
Winter (translator). Discourse on free will, Erasmus Luther. pb
Lull. Martin Luther's basic theological wrings. 1989. pb.
Bayer.  Martin Luther's theology, contemporary interpretation. 2008. pb [decided to keep]
Pelikan, ed. Luther's Works, vol. 27, 28, 1964.

Not sure why I saved my college textbooks, but I did occasionally open them over the years.

Textbooks, history

Stearns. Pageant of Europe; sources and selections. Rev. ed.
Gewehr. American Civilization, a history of the United States.
Ergang.  Europe from the renaissance to Waterloo.

Children's books 

Over the years, I collected some lovely children's books for when I would have grandchildren and read to them as I did my own children.  But that was not to be.   I've pulled them off the shelves and I'll see if our niece who has 8 grandchildren wants them.  My priority in children's books is always the illustrations. I love these books, will be sad to see them go, but would love to have children read and enjoy them.

Kjelgaard, Jim.  Sam Savitt illustrator.  Two dogs and a horse. 1964.  I think I bought this at a library sale. It's short stories. The author wrote many animal stories, and I remember reading them when I was a child--he seemed fond of Irish Setters. This was published after his death at 49. Sam Savitt was a well known equine artist. He did a Guide to Horses poster that perhaps I had in the Veterinary library at OSU.

Henry, Marguerite. Wesley Dennis illustrator.  Misty of Chincoteague. 1947. 1951.  I read this in 3rd grade, but didn't own it.  I did own her Born to Trot and King of the Wind, so when I saw this at a sale, I bought it. In my opinion these two are the premiere dog and pony children's book authors/illustrators.  Can't be beat. There is a foundation named for this pony.

Mortimer, Anne, story by Matthew Sturgis. Tosca's Christmas. 1989.  Usually the illustrator doesn't have top billing, but in this case, she was an artist not known for children's books but for her floral paintings. Until the end of  2014 she had a painting blog, but is now doing that on Facebook.

Pryor, Bonnie.  Illustrated by Beth Peck. The house on Maple Street. 1987. 1992.  In the 90s I was doing some fiction writing, and I attended a two day workshop for children's authors and sat in a session by this author or artist, of which I remember nothing, but did buy two of her books.  She lives in Ohio and has written about 40 books.

Pryor, Bonnie.  Mark Graham illustrator. The dream jar. 1996. Pryor's specialty is writing historical fiction for children.

Rosen, Michael J. ed. Purr. . . Children's book illustrators brag about their cats. 1996. Rosen is a writer, artist and poet originally from Columbus and as I recall, we might have him at the Columbus Museum of Art or maybe visited an art exhibit about animals and bought this book--I'm a bit fuzzy on the details.  The proceeds of this book by illustrators that he edited went to benefit an animal organization.
"Scaredy Kate is a plump calico" belonging to Dyanne DiSalvo-Ryan, who says she had "her first and only litter of kittens on Father's Day, and bore them in the corner of my husband's closet surrounded by his sneakers.  We called them his Father's Day presents, and named the kittens Adidas, Nike, Converse, Etonic and Reebok."
Chorao, KayThe baby's bedtime book. 1984. Familiar bedtime poems and prayers--Day is done, Lullaby and good night, Minnie and Winnie, Now I lay me down to sleep--illustrated by Chorao.

Delval, Marie-Helene. Ulises Wensell illustrator. Translated from French. Reader's Digest Bible for Children; timeless stories from the Old and New Testaments. 1995.  Table of contents includes the chapter/verse citation; glossary in back. Illustrator was well known artist from Spain who died in 2011. Author is French and has written a number of Bible based books for children.

Riddles, Libby.  Shannon Cartwright illustrator. Danger the dog yard cat.  1989.  On our Alaskan cruise in 2001 we met the author who talked about the Iditarod which she won in 1985. Cartwright is both a writer and illustrator and lives in Alaska.  A customer review of her Finding Alaska, "Cartwright's art is delightful and at times very humorous. I recently heard that on the train-ride from Anchorage to Fairbanks, an announcement is made at the spot, where the train makes a stop in the middle of nowhere, when a delivery is being made for her, or when Shannon needs a ride to do her errands in the city!!"

Walsh, Vivian and J. Otto Seibold, illustrator. Olive the other reindeer. 1997.  Olive is actually a dog (a Jack Russel owned by the author) who heard the Rudolph song and thought "All of the other reindeer," was "Olive, the other reindeer," and so the story.  I think I bought it because it was about Olive.   This couple has written and illustrated a number of children's books. See Wikipedia.

McGeorge, Constance W. Mary Whyte illustrator. Boomer's big day.1994.  Snow riders. 1995.  My recollection is I met Ms. McGeorge at an authors' workshop or gathering and then bought her books at a book store. Snow Riders I thought was especially exciting because my brother and I used to make snow horses in the winter in Forreston.  I met Mary Whyte at least 10 years later and we have another one of her books, Working South, although it's not a childrens' book. She will be the judge at the fall OWS show.  I think Ms. McGeorge lived in Upper Arlington when I met her. Boomer was the first children's book for both according to the flap and Boomer was the name of Whyte's Golden Retriever. 

There's a lovely blog about the art of children's books, "The art of children's picture books," but it seems to be on vacation since August 2015.

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Adoption for the Lucky few.

Are you considering adoption? Zondervan (Christian book publisher) has a new book about a delightful family with 3 children under age 5 (lively group) as told by Heather Avis, the mom, about how she and husband Josh went from grief over infertility to joy in adopting two medically fragile babies with Down syndrome and one with a mixed racial heritage. It's very well written and an easy read--but ...the problems and snags like heart surgeries and meeting with birth families are folded in. Avis, Heather. "The lucky few; finding God's best in the most unlikely places." Zondervan, 2017. ISBN 9780310345466 I don't do Instagram, but I think that's how this book was birthed as the author shared her joys and sorrows with others in similar situations. Whether yours is a step parent, international, special needs, or plain vanilla adoption, I think you'll enjoy this book.

More books off the shelves and out the door

They are all off the shelves, some on the floor, some in boxes, bags, two multi-volume titles are tied with red Christmas ribbon (couldn't find any twine), but somehow, I really don't see much freed up space on the shelves.  Some titles came off, then I started browsing and they went back!  Looking through one of the architecture magazines I see a feature on the Thorncrown Chapel (E. Fay Jones), winner of a 1981 AIA honor and which we visited in 2006.  Also, addition to Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, which we visited in 1977

Books removed February 2017

Religion/inspiration
Bewes.  The top 100 questions.  2002. PB
Tozer.  Living as a Christian, teachings from First Peter.
Guideposts. Dawnings; finding God’s light in the darkness. 1981.
Guideposts.  Tapestries of life.  1974.
Thurman.  How to think about evolution and other Bible science controversies. 2nd ed. 1978.  PB
Kreeft.  Jacob’s ladder; 10 steps to truth. 2013.  PB
Sparks.  The mind benders. 1977. PB
Eastwood.  Priesthood of all believers. 1960
Davis and Hays.  The art of reading scripture.  2003. PB
Keller.  The Bible as history in pictures. 1964.
Sire.  How to read slowly; a Christian guide to reading with the mind. 1978. PB
Murray.  Like Christ. Reprint 1974. PB
Roberts.  Praying God’s will for my marriage. 1994.
Shelly.  Church history in plain language. 1982.
Tappert. The book of Concord. 1959.
Baille. A diary of private prayer. 1949
McDowell.  Evidence for Christianity. 2006.
Misc. small paperback, (14) devotion and study. 

Biography/history/politics
Maroscher.  Why can’t somebody just die around here.  2015.  PB
Boorstin.  The discoverers; a history of man’s search to know his world and himself. 1983.
Stoll. Samuel Adams; a life.  2008. PB.
Beck.  Broke.  2010.
Beck.  Cowards. 2012.
Stein.  How the states got their shapes.
Bloom. The western canon; the books and school of the ages. 1994.

Literature/fiction/skills
Saturday Evening Post Treasury. 1954.
Smith.  The miracle at speedy motors. No. 1 Ladies detective agency.  2008
Smith. Blue shoes and happiness. No. 1 Ladies detective agency. 2006.
Harper.  Black orchid. 1996. PB
Hursh.  The final hurdle, physician’s guide. 2012.
Famous Writers Course, 4 vol. + Annual volume.
Pei.  The story of language. 1949. 1965.
Dover. Dictionary of spoken Spanish. 1958. PB
Amsco.  Spanish dictionary. 1968. PB
Nassi Levy.  Spanish first year.  Workbook.   1996  PB.
Latin and English Dictionary, 1966. PB
Repaso y composicion. 1947
Loss Brief Spanish review grammar. 1954
Cassell's Spanish dictionary.1960
Latin, an introductory course. 2nd ed. 1960. PB
Hines.  Laura Ingalls Wilder Little House in the Ozarks. 1991
Hines. I remember Laura. Laura Ingalls Wilder. 1994.

Recipes/cooking/exercise/
Lee.  Semi-homemade cooking. 2005.  PB
Favorite brand name. Easy foil recipes. 2002.
Woman’s Day Encyclopedia of Cooking. 12 vols. 1966.
2 exercise DVDs, Denise Austin, Mari Winsor.
Gavin. Book of pilates. 2002
Pilates for weight loss with DVD, 2011
OSU Cooperative Extension.  The wisdom of exercise. Bull. 618. PB
Taste of Home, hard cover annuals
  Light & Tasty, 2003
  Annual 1999
  Christmas 2010
  Christmas 2011


Architecture
Backyard landscaper 40 professional designs. 1992
Biegeleisen. Complete book of silk screen. 1963
Sunset. Ideas for Great kitchens.1991
Victorian dream homes.  160. 1991
BHG. Outdoor projects. 1998
Sunset.  Patio roofs and gazebos. 1988
House Beautiful. Kitchens. 1993
Richards. An introduction to modern architecture. Rev. 1953. PB
Manual of steel construction. 6th ed. 1965.
Roycraft. Industrial building details 2nd ed. 1959.
Action. Housing choices and housing constraints. 1960
Origin of the skyscraper. 1939

Magazines
2014, 2015 First Things
National Geographic.  2 issues. Oct. and Nov. 1983
Ideals country roads.v. 42, no. 6, 1985
Ideals friendship. v. 43, no. 5, 1985
New miracles of the telephone age. Nat. Geog. mag. July 1954
The Adirondacks Forever Wild. New York Geographic series, no.. 1, 1988
Inland Architect, 9 issues, 1972

Animals and Cats
Turine World. Nat. Geog. Mag. Dec. 1925
Horse identifier. field guide.1980
Horses of the world. 1923
Bast. The poetical Cat, an anthology. 1995.
Lazarus. Keep your cat healthy the natural way. 1999.
Fogle.  The cat's mind; understanding your cat's behavior. 1992.
Shojai. The Purina encyclopedia of cat care. 1998.
Myron. Dewey, the small town library cat who touched the world.  2008


Sunday, February 12, 2017

Allan Bloom's "The Closing of the American Mind"--again

Each time I peruse the bookshelves to do some clearing out, my hand pauses at this best seller of 30 years ago. It was about a year ago, I looked and put it back. Looked again today.

In Alan Bloom’s book, "The Closing of the American Mind” (1987)--a book that began as an essay and became a best seller--he discusses how the meaning and acts of sex and sexuality changed between the 50s and 60s and the 80s, and that the college students he knew saw a sexual arrangement as convenient, but not lasting or a commitment. “They are roommates with sex and utilities included in the rent.” (p. 106). 

With the looming strike of women (they are angry about the election of Trump and mad at the Electoral College) and the January 21 Women’s March in DC, I think he missed his mark in thinking the “rights” push was over.  It’s not over because it's never over for the Left which needs a victim, and over 50% of the population are women and 57% of the college graduates since the 90s are women.  For the Left  no matter what progress women, homosexuals or transsexuals make, there’s always a new victim to be found which can be folded into the original goal.  The push to normalize sex with children is the most recent one, as polygamy or polyandry will just be too boring and acceptable since sex with adults has lost all meaning. Relativism, Bloom said, makes students conformist and incurious. Their supposed open-mindedness closes their actual minds. And that continues as the students of the 80s are the parents and professors of today's college students.

Bloom writes about relationships in the mid-80s: “Men and women are now used to living in exactly the same way and studying exactly the same things and having exactly the same career expectations.  No man would think of ridiculing a female premed or prelaw student, or believe that these are fields not proper for women, or assert that a woman should put family before career.  The law schools and medical schools are full of women, and their numbers are beginning to approach their proportion in the general population.  . . The battle here has been won. . . They do not need the protection of NOW (p. 107)  And he goes on to note that not only do his students have nothing to learn about sex from their parents, but also believe they have nothing to learn from old literature or history  [and I would add the Bible, but he doesn’t] so when they have problems with relationships, they have nothing to go back to.

 http://www.weeklystandard.com/the-book-that-drove-them-crazy/article/634905