LITTLE HOUSE IN THE OZARKS: THE REDISCOVERED WRITINGS by LAURA INGALLS WILDER, STEPHEN W. HINES (Editor)

 LITTLE HOUSE IN THE OZARKS: THE REDISCOVERED WRITINGS by LAURA INGALLS WILDER, STEPHEN W. HINES (Editor)  PGS 220

Goodreads Review: In more than 140 articles and essays collected here for all to enjoy, this beloved author's writings on American life during a simpler time abound with humor and spunk that transcend the years. Laura Ingalls Wilder -- beloved author of one of the world's most treasured children's series, the Little House books -- wrote articles on a dizzying array of topics; articles that sparkle with her timeless wit and wisdom. Her interesting and insightful views on the changes motor cars and highways brought to her small town; the need to conserve natural resources; the role of women in the work force and in politics -- nothing seemed to escape her keen observation.

With a foresight that is astounding, Wilder's many articles examine in depth the ways of life in this country during the late 1800s and early 1900s with a wisdom that holds relevance for our lives even today.

1776 by David McCullough

 1776 by David McCullough-386 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

America’s beloved and distinguished historian presents, in a book of breathtaking excitement, drama, and narrative force, the stirring story of the year of our nation’s birth, 1776, interweaving, on both sides of the Atlantic, the actions and decisions that led Great Britain to undertake a war against her rebellious colonial subjects and that placed America’s survival in the hands of George Washington.

In this masterful book, David McCullough tells the intensely human story of those who marched with General George Washington in the year of the Declaration of Independence—when the whole American cause was riding on their success, without which all hope for independence would have been dashed and the noble ideals of the Declaration would have amounted to little more than words on paper.

Based on extensive research in both American and British archives, 1776 is a powerful drama written with extraordinary narrative vitality. It is the story of Americans in the ranks, men of every shape, size, and color; farmers, schoolteachers, shoemakers, no-accounts, and mere boys turned soldiers. And it is the story of the King’s men, the British commander, William Howe, and his highly disciplined redcoats who looked on their rebel foes with contempt and fought with a valor too little known.

Written as a companion work to his celebrated biography of John Adams, David McCullough’s 1776 is another landmark in the literature of American history.

Thoughts: This has been on my TBR for quite some time and I decided to finally read it for this month's challenge. I like that McCullough begins in late 1775 with the British perspective and the events in the British Parliament that lead to the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. I learned some things about King George III (he had 15 children!) and his attitude toward the American colonies and the conflict that he viewed as a rebellion. I also learned that some British MPs (Members of Parliament) were more sympathetic towards the American colonists and wanted to try more conciliatory measures, but were ultimately outnumbered. This is a nuanced, even account of the first year or so of the American Revolutionary War and especially of Washington and his Continental Army. It was very bleak for Washington and the army for most of 1776. Even though the Declaration was signed on July 4, it was not looking good for the Americans for most of the year. The tides finally turned in late December, 1776 at the Battle of Trenton where the Continental Army surprised approx. 1,500 Hessians and routed them inflicting 1,100 casualties (111 dead or wounded, 900 captured). Up until that point it had been defeat after defeat. In early 1777, the Continental Army won another victory at the Battle of Princeton. If not for these two victories (especially Trenton), the American Revolutionary War may have ended quite differently. This was a really good read and I learned some things.

Missouri Caves in History and Legend

 Missouri Caves in History and Legend by H. Dwight Weaver - 176 pages

Goodreads:

Missouri has been likened to a “cave factory” because its limestone bedrock can be slowly dissolved by groundwater to form caverns, and the state boasts more than six thousand caves in an unbelievable variety of sizes, lengths, and shapes. Dwight Weaver has been fascinated by Missouri’s caves since boyhood and now distills a lifetime of exploration and research in a book that will equally fascinate readers of all ages.
Missouri Caves in History and Legend records a cultural heritage stretching from the end of the ice age to the twenty-first century.  In a grand tour of the state’s darkest places, Weaver takes readers deep underground to shed light on the historical significance of caves, correct misinformation about them, and describe the ways in which people have used and abused these resources.
Weaver tells how these underground places have enriched our knowledge of extinct animals and early Native Americans. He explores the early uses of caves: for the mining of saltpeter, onyx, and guano; as sources of water; for cold storage; and as livestock shelters. And he tells how caves were used for burial sites and moonshine stills, as hideouts for Civil War soldiers and outlaws—revealing how Jesse James became associated with Missouri caves—and even as venues for underground dance parties in the late nineteenth century.
Bringing caves into the modern era, Weaver relates the history of Missouri’s “show caves” over a hundred years—from the opening of Mark Twain Cave in 1886 to that of Onyx Mountain Caverns in 1990—and tells of the men and women who played a major role in expanding the state’s tourism industry. He also tracks the hunt for the buried treasure and uranium ore that have captivated cave explorers, documents the emergence of organized caving, and explains how caves now play a role in wildlife management by providing a sanctuary for endangered bats and other creatures.
Included in the book is an overview of cave resources in twelve regions, covering all the counties that currently have recorded caves, as well as a superb selection of photos from the author’s extensive collection, depicting the history and natural features of these underground wonders. Missouri Caves in History and Legend is a riveting account that marks an important contribution to the state’s heritage and brings this world of darkness into the light of day.

The Trail of Tears Across Missouri

 The Trail of Tears Across Missouri by Joan Gilbert - 136 pages

Goodreads:

As settlers moved beyond the eastern seaboard during the early nineteenth century, the government forced thousands of American Indians from their ancestral lands. The Cherokees, the largest and most important tribe in the Southeast, fought exile with a combination of passive resistance and national publicity for their plight. Because they had successfully resisted the government's efforts to move them from their homeland, their removal was particularly brutal when it finally came. The Trail of Tears across Missouri is a moving account of the 1837-1838 removal of the Cherokees from the southeastern United States to Indian Territory (now Oklahoma). After providing an overview of the Cherokees' life in the Southeast and of the events leading up to their exile, Joan Gilbert traces the mass exodus state by state from Tennessee to Arkansas. Successive chapters highlight the experiences and the hardships endured by those forced to travel with inadequate supplies of food, clothing, and transportation. It is estimated that four thousand Cherokees, nearly a quarter of the tribe, died. In bringing the grim realities of the forced march to life, Gilbert draws from such primary sources as letters, newspaper stories, and the writings of missionaries, guides, and doctors who accompanied them. She focuses on the Cherokees' experiences as they passed through Missouri, using the journals of Dr. W. I. I. Morrow and guide B. B. Cannon. In addition to chronicling the removal of the Cherokees, Gilbert also brings the story up to date by describing how the nation lives today and how the Trail of Tears has been commemorated.

Lewis and Clark's Journey Across Missouri

 Lewis and Clark's Journey Across Missouri by Brett Dufur - 114 pages

Goodreads:

This beautifully photographed and illustrated book explores in-depth Lewis and Clark’s time in Missouri through journal excerpts, one-of-a-kind maps made by nationally known geographer James Harlan that locate the Corps of Discovery’s campsites, and an along-the-river guide for travelers who wish to explore the historic towns, state parks, and other points of interest. Individual chapters also probe the river then and now, the Native Americans then in the state, the fur trade at the time, the last European settlement on the river, and contemporary flora and fauna of Missouri. The return journey through the state, when the men were speeding homeward, is also included.

Remembering The St. Louis World's Fair

Remembering The St. Louis World's Fair by Margaret Johanson Witherspoon- 96 pages

Google:

Remembering The St. Louis World's Fair by Margaret Johanson Witherspoon is a nostalgic, richly illustrated 95-page retrospective of the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition. Published in 1973, the book features over 100 historical photographs and drawings to capture the charm and magnitude of the massive Forest Park event.

Key Details & Review

Content: The book offers a breezy overview of the fair, from its groundbreaking ceremonies and the leadership of David R. Francis to the massive exhibition palaces and entertainment on "The Pike".
Historical Value: Witherspoon—who was inspired by her parents' firsthand recollections of the fair—created the book to preserve local St. Louis memories just as the city's centennial celebrations were approaching.
Format: Running just under 100 pages, it is heavily visual, acting as a commemorative guide rather than a rigorous academic text. It is highly regarded by World's Fair enthusiasts and collectors of Missouri history.

HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE (Howl's # 1) by DIANA WYNNE JONES

 HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE (Howl's # 1) by DIANA WYNNE JONES (Pgs 329)

Goodreads: Sophie has the great misfortune of being the eldest of three daughters, destined to fail miserably should she ever leave home to seek her fate. But when she unwittingly attracts the ire of the Witch of the Waste, Sophie finds herself under a horrid spell that transforms her into an old lady. Her only chance at breaking it lies in the ever-moving castle in the hills: the Wizard Howl's castle. To untangle the enchantment, Sophie must handle the heartless Howl, strike a bargain with a fire demon, and meet the Witch of the Waste head-on. Along the way, she discovers that there's far more to Howl—and herself—than first meets the eye.

I have watched the movie a couple times, but this is the first time I have read the book, and I really enjoyed it.

Howl's Moving Castle (Howl's, #1) by Dianna Wynne Jones

 Howl's Moving Castle (Howl's, #1) by Dianna Wynne Jones-429 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Goodreads Synopsis: Sophie has the great misfortune of being the eldest of three daughters, destined to fail miserably should she ever leave home to seek her fate. But when she unwittingly attracts the ire of the Witch of the Waste, Sophie finds herself under a horrid spell that transforms her into an old lady. Her only chance at breaking it lies in the ever-moving castle in the hills: the Wizard Howl's castle. To untangle the enchantment, Sophie must handle the heartless Howl, strike a bargain with a fire demon, and meet the Witch of the Waste head-on. Along the way, she discovers that there's far more to Howl—and herself—than first meets the eye.

Thoughts: I really enjoyed reading this. It is a fantastical adventure about finding your true self. I found myself rooting for Sophie, Howl, and Calcifer. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys fantasy. It's our next selection for the Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book to Movie Club, so I'm excited to watch the movie and compare them. 

Battle Angel Alita Mars Chronicle Vol. 10 by Yukito Kishiro

 Battle Angel Alita Mars Chronicle Vol. 10 by Yukito Kishiro-176 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Goodreads Synopsis: The operation to track down Yoko is interrupted when Gyapollo launches an ambush in the night. A clever trap does some damage, but Keun knows a duel is inevitable, and that he must put everything on the line. Meanwhile, Yoko's solo adventuring leads her to a monumental discovery-if only she understood its significance…

Thoughts: I enjoyed reading this even more than the previous volume. Battle Angel Alita is easily still my favorite manga to read. I like the mix of genres (dystopian, sci-fi, fantasy, and manga). I am always rooting for Alita/Yoko. I am excited for the next volume to be released and to read more about Alita's origin story.

Battle Angel Alita: Mars Chronicle Vol. 9 by Yukito Kishiro

 Battle Angel Alita: Mars Chronicle Vol. 9 by Yukito Kishiro-176 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Goodreads Synopsis: The cyber-martial arts saga that has spanned a solar system and over two decades in print returns, with creator Yukito Kishiro's new sequel that reveals the true story of Alita's childhood on Mars, and the mind-bending adventures that still await her...

Freed from the Fardarrig military, the Dejah Thoris can only enjoy a momentary peace before another dangerous foe descends upon Keun and the residents. The enemy’s name is Gyapollo, and he’s taken Yoko hostage and spirited her away! On top of that, he seems to have an enduring grudge against Keun, but why…?

Thoughts: I enjoyed reading this. Battle Angel Alita is still my favorite manga to read. I like the mix of genres (dystopian, sci-fi, fantasy, and manga). I am always rooting for Alita/Yoko. 

Blade Breaker (Realm Breaker, #2) by Victoria Aveyard

 Blade Breaker (Realm Breaker, #2) by Victoria Aveyard-578 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Goodreads synopsis: The fate of the world rests on a blade's edge.

Fighting beside her band of unlikely companions, Corayne is learning to embrace her ancient lineage and wield her father's powerful sword.

But while she successfully closed one of the Spindles, her journey is far from over.

Queen Erida's army marches across Allward with her consort, Taristan, right beside them, opening more portals into nightmarish worlds, razing kingdoms to the ground.

Corayne has no choice but to assemble an army of her own if she's to save the realm as she knows it. But perilous lands await her and the companions, and they face assassins, otherworldly beasts, and tempestuous seas all as they rally a divided Ward to fight behind them.

But Taristan has unleashed an evil far more wicked than his corpse armies. Something deadly waits in the shadows; something that might consume the world before there's any hope for victory.

Thoughts: I liked this more than the first one in this series. There's a bit more action and the characters seem more fleshed out. I am excited to read the last book in the trilogy soon. 

 

Going Dark by Melissa De La Cruz

336 Pages

I ate this book up. I wanted to consume it all in one sitting, from the first few pages...and I did. 

It reminded me a lot of my favorite thriller/mystery author, Natasha Preston, highly suggest her if you like stand-alone books. 

Years ago, a family was hit with something that destroyed them. One of their two daughters went missing. Now, years later, the remaining daughter does the same... or does she? From the beginning, I thought I had my mind made up about what would happen. Little did I know the slightly psychotic roller coaster I was boarding. People are not who they say, things are not as they seem, and Harper is the best character, in my opinion. 

5 stars all around. 

 

   

FirstLife by Gena Showalter

467 pages

Okay...

I love dystopian. It is my favorite genre, so I will always give them a shot.

This book, however, is sci-fi first and foremost. Which is fine, but not what I was expecting. Following that, it was also probably one of the most boring reads. I am really trying to not roast this book entirely, because the idea was a cool one. 

Basically, the life you live when you are alive leads up to your real life, which starts when you die. You get to decide when you turn 16 (that's so young, to choose where you spend forever ), what realm you would like to reside in. The choices are Troika or Myriad. Then, if you can't decide or you wish to be unsigned, you go to Prynne, which is delightfully referred to as the Asylum till the age of 18. Now, while you are in Prynne, if they think you are important enough, they send in a undercover recruiter to persuade you to join. That's the general plot. 

Spoilers ahead...

The book spent the first 260-something pages of the main girl Tenley playing will she, won't she in Prynne on which realm. I felt like I could have skipped those pages and been just fine. Then Tenley gets a new female cellmate, Bow, who is actually an undercover recruit. Then, to confuse you more, Bow is actually a male who is wearing a shell posing as a female. Which is fine, and I thought it was a smart way to bring in a new character, but the way it was done was just so quick and almost " oh btw Bows a Male named Archer" ... uhm ok? 

All in all, my opinion is 3 stars and skip the first 200-ish pages.  

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

 Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon-312 pages (paperback)

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Goodreads synopsis: My disease is as rare as it is famous. It’s a form of Severe Combined Immunodeficiency, but basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in fifteen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla.

But then one day, a moving truck arrives. New next door neighbors. I look out the window, and I see him. He’s tall, lean and wearing all black—black t-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly. I want to learn everything about him, and I do. I learn that he is funny and fierce. I learn that his eyes are Atlantic Ocean-blue and that his vice is stealing silverware. I learn that when I talk to him, my whole world opens up, and I feel myself starting to change—starting to want things. To want out of my bubble. To want everything, everything the world has to offer.

Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster.

Thoughts: The chapters aren't typical. It's not written Chapter 1, Chapter 2, and so on. Some of the "chapters" are one paragraph or even one sentence. That being said, it is a good read. 

THE BEAR AND THE NIGHTINGALE by KATHERINE ARDEN

 THE BEAR AND THE NIGHTINGALE by KATHERINE ARDEN (PGS 368)

Winter lasts most of the year at the edge of the Russian wilderness, and in the long nights, Vasilisa and her siblings love to gather by the fire to listen to their nurse’s fairy tales. Above all, Vasya loves the story of Frost, the blue-eyed winter demon. Wise Russians fear him, for he claims unwary souls, and they honor the spirits that protect their homes from evil.

Then Vasya’s widowed father brings home a new wife from Moscow. Fiercely devout, Vasya’s stepmother forbids her family from honoring their household spirits, but Vasya fears what this may bring. And indeed, misfortune begins to stalk the village.

But Vasya’s stepmother only grows harsher, determined to remake the village to her liking and to groom her rebellious stepdaughter for marriage or a convent. As the village’s defenses weaken and evil from the forest creeps nearer, Vasilisa must call upon dangerous gifts she has long concealed—to protect her family from a threat sprung to life from her nurse’s most frightening tales.

OF MICE AND MEN by JOHN STEINBECK

 

OF MICE AND MEN by JOHN STEINBECK (PGS 107)

“I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you, and that's why.”

They are an unlikely pair: George is "small and quick and dark of face"; Lennie, a man of tremendous size, has the mind of a young child. Yet they have formed a "family," clinging together in the face of loneliness and alienation. Laborers in California's dusty vegetable fields, they hustle work when they can, living a hand-to-mouth existence. But George and Lennie have a plan: to own an acre of land and a shack they can call their own.

While the powerlessness of the laboring class is a recurring theme in Steinbeck's work of the late 1930s, he narrowed his focus when composing Of Mice and Men, creating an intimate portrait of two men facing a world marked by petty tyranny, misunderstanding, jealousy, and callousness. But though the scope is narrow, the theme is universal: a friendship and a shared dream that makes an individual's existence meaningful.

A unique perspective on life's hardships, this story has achieved the status of timeless classic due to its remarkable success as a novel, a Broadway play, and three acclaimed films.

THE SOUND OF A WILD SNAIL EATING by ELISABETH TOVA BAILEY

 THE SOUND OF A WILD SNAIL EATING by ELISABETH TOVA BAILEY (PGS 208)

In a work that beautifully demonstrates the rewards of closely observing nature, Elisabeth Bailey shares an inspiring and intimate story of her uncommon encounter with a Neohelix albolabris —a common woodland snail.

While an illness keeps her bedridden, Bailey watches a wild snail that has taken up residence on her nightstand. As a result, she discovers the solace and sense of wonder that this mysterious creature brings and comes to a greater understanding of her own confined place in the world.

Intrigued by the snail’s molluscan anatomy, cryptic defenses, clear decision making, hydraulic locomotion, and mysterious courtship activities, Bailey becomes an astute and amused observer, providing a candid and engaging look into the curious life of this underappreciated small animal. 

Told with wit and grace, The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating is a remarkable journey of survival and resilience, showing us how a small part of the natural world illuminates our own human existence and provides an appreciation of what it means to be fully alive.

I found this to be a clear-cut and interesting read.

THE FORBIDDEN LIBRARY by DJANGO WEXLER

 THE FORBIDDEN LIBRARY by DJANGO WEXLER  Pgs 373

Alice always thought fairy tales had happy endings. That--along with everything else--changed the day she met her first fairy

When Alice's father goes down in a shipwreck, she is sent to live with her uncle Geryon--an uncle she's never heard of and knows nothing about. He lives in an enormous manor with a massive library that is off-limits to Alice. But then she meets a talking cat. And even for a rule-follower, when a talking cat sneaks you into a forbidden library and introduces you to an arrogant boy who dares you to open a book, it's hard to resist. Especially if you're a reader to begin with. Soon Alice finds herself INSIDE the book, and the only way out is to defeat the creature imprisoned within.

It seems her uncle is more than he says he is. But then so is Alice.

THE RAVEN SPELL by LUANNE G. SMITH

 THE RAVEN SPELL by LUANNE G. SMITH  Pgs 255

In Victorian England a witch and a detective are on the hunt for a serial killer in an enthralling novel of magic and murder by the Amazon Charts and Washington Post bestselling author of The Vine Witch.

After a nearly fatal blow to the skull, traumatized private detective Ian Cameron is found dazed and confused on a muddy riverbank in Victorian London. Among his effects: a bloodstained business card bearing the name of a master wizard and a curious pocket watch that doesn’t seem to tell time. To retrieve his lost memories, Ian demands answers from Edwina and Mary Blackwood, sister witches with a murky past. But as their secret is slowly unveiled, a dangerous mystery emerges on the darkened streets of London.

To help piece together Ian’s lost time, he and Edwina embark on a journey that will take them from the river foreshore to an East End music hall, and on to a safe house for witches in need of sanctuary from angry mortals. The clues they find suggest a link between a series of gruesome murders, a missing person’s case, and a dreadful suspicion that threatens to tear apart the bonds of sisterhood. As the investigation deepens, could Ian and Edwina be the next to die?

HOLLOW CITY by RANSOM RIGGS

 HOLLOW CITY by RANSOM RIGGS  pgs 400

September 3, 1940. Ten peculiar children flee an army of deadly monsters. And only one person can help them—but she’s trapped in the body of a bird. The extraordinary journey that began in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children continues as Jacob Portman and his newfound friends journey to London, the peculiar capital of the world. There, they hope to find a cure for their beloved headmistress, Miss Peregrine. But in this war-torn city, hideous surprises lurk around every corner. And before Jacob can deliver the peculiar children to safety, he must make an important decision about his love for Emma Bloom.