It's hard to find a babysitter that's just right... but this might be the best option.It's hard to find a babysitter that's just right... but this might be the best option....more
Grinspan traces the switch from mass drunk participation in US elections to sober, civil and limited attendance. The post Civil War elections were aggGrinspan traces the switch from mass drunk participation in US elections to sober, civil and limited attendance. The post Civil War elections were aggressive, tribal partisanship with the loudest, closest, most violent elections in U.S. history. These vibrant campaigns that drew our highest-ever voter turnouts. Grinspan frames this change with the relationship and lives of a remarkable father-daughter dynasty. The radical congressman William “Pig Iron” Kelley and his fiery, Progressive daughter Florence Kelley led lives packed with drama, intimately tied to their nation's politics.
Why I started this book: History podcast interviewed this author, and I know very little about this time period.
Why I finished it: Solid history. Great to listen and learn and I always love history that reminds the reader that their experience is not the norm through history. That the only constant in history is change....more
Zoey Gunner pushes herself to go to a Sip n' Stitch to meet new people... only thing is that she showed up at the wrong bar. Which is how she meet theZoey Gunner pushes herself to go to a Sip n' Stitch to meet new people... only thing is that she showed up at the wrong bar. Which is how she meet the werewolf biker Warner Jameson. One sniff, and he knows that he needs to get to know her better.
Why I started this book: Summer Reading means fun and flirty romance novels.
Why I finished it: Started it for the fun new werewolf romance. Stayed for the great characters, descriptions of mental health and family relationships. This was my first Connolly book, but it won't be my last....more
Dante is a retired assassin, trying to become normal in the small coastal town of Te Kohe, New Zealand. His new home has a rare plant in the green houDante is a retired assassin, trying to become normal in the small coastal town of Te Kohe, New Zealand. His new home has a rare plant in the green house and a local gardener willing to work around Dante's eccentricities. When a body is found and both Dante and the gardener are prime suspects they work together to find the real killer.
Why I started this book: Title. It had all my key words when I look for a new book.
Why I finished it: Charming story and I eagerly await the next book. Very light paranormal elements, one character can see ghosts and it doesn't solve the mystery....more
Brusatte guides the reader through an overview of deep time and the rise of mammals in the geological record.
Why I started this book: Looking for someBrusatte guides the reader through an overview of deep time and the rise of mammals in the geological record.
Why I started this book: Looking for some calming nonfiction audio and this was available on Libby.
Why I finished it: Geology is just mind-numbing large chunks of time. Stupid amounts of time, that Brusatte ushers the reader through at a solid clip. That being said, I'm still stuck at marsupial tree climbing lions with "bolt cutting teeth" capable of cutting through muscle and bone in a bite. Thanks for the nightmares Australia! You've always taken terrifying nature to unmatched levels....more
A young child is mentored by an artist who teaches them the power of noticing the world and all its surprises and joy.
Why I started this book: New picA young child is mentored by an artist who teaches them the power of noticing the world and all its surprises and joy.
Why I started this book: New picture books at the library. Great day!
Why I finished it: Gorgeous illustrations and wonderful commentary about noticing, seeing and acknowledging other people. The subtle details and colors reward readers as they take time to practice noticing....more
In a different London, with more magic and mystery, a monster is killing and the badges are rushing around looking for answers.
Why I started this bookIn a different London, with more magic and mystery, a monster is killing and the badges are rushing around looking for answers.
Why I started this book: Love Forthright's Amaranthine series and was eager to try a new series.
Why I finished it: I spent most of the book gentle discombobulated. Explainations left plenty for the imagination to fill in, and like I was missing a paragraph or two of exposition. And still it was a fun story, and I'm more than willing to continue....more
Tongue in check little book to remind you that there is an example in your own home for resisting fascism.
Why I started this book: Sample showed the cTongue in check little book to remind you that there is an example in your own home for resisting fascism.
Why I started this book: Sample showed the cat comics at the start of each chapter.
Why I finished it: Short, hopeful and funny. You can resist by knocking things over, going where you want and by taking naps. Keep you claws sharp and your enemies confounded....more
York defends scientific curiousity by highlighting some interesting science grants that have been funded by the US government. She explains the studieYork defends scientific curiousity by highlighting some interesting science grants that have been funded by the US government. She explains the studies, and celebrates the findings. She is quick to point out that some benefits of scientific research take years to exploit, and that you can't know what results will bring renumeration beforehand.
Why I started this book: I'm a fan of weird facts and wacky science, so I couldn't wait to pick up this book.
Not bad, but I'm debating if I read the next one in the series or go reread Pathfinder's Way and that whole series again instead.Not bad, but I'm debating if I read the next one in the series or go reread Pathfinder's Way and that whole series again instead....more
Worthen traces the American cycle of losing faith in their institutions and leaders, picking a charismatic outsider, who better listens to/magnifies tWorthen traces the American cycle of losing faith in their institutions and leaders, picking a charismatic outsider, who better listens to/magnifies the masses. This history weaves context into the outliers showing where they are special and where they are part of their time and place.
Why I started this book: Mentioned in one of my book podcasts, I immediately downloaded it from Audible and started.
Why I finished it: Fascinating and poignant, as she described how America has always swung from institutions to chaos, with charismatic leaders railing against religious and political authority, especially during times when the needs of the many are being ignored for the wants of the few. Interesting take on American history....more
Norman heads off to find adventure. It takes a long time and plenty of effort before he finds it.
Why I started this book: Thrilled that the library'sNorman heads off to find adventure. It takes a long time and plenty of effort before he finds it.
Why I started this book: Thrilled that the library's copy arrived!
Why I finished it: I like Norman, have been pretty far into an uncomfortable situation before I realized that this very thing I'm going through, is the adventure. And we all need friends like Sale with sharp and good points....more