Friday Finds...

I'm long over due for a post like this. Over the last couple months I've been slowly collecting books, due to the number and my limited time for blogging I'm going to keep this post to a list of titles and authors, then once I read them I'll post cover pictures and further details.

Found a charity book sale. Total spent $5.
* The Gate Marked Private by Ethel M. Dell (c) 1928
* Miss Morissa: Doctor of the Gold Trail by Mari Sandoz (c) 1955
* The Man Without a Country by Edward Everett Hale (c) 1897
* Heidi Grows Up by Charles Tritten (c) 1938
* Through the Green Gabe: The Alice and Jerry Books by Mabel O'Donnell Published 1939, (c)1957
* The Rand McNally Book of Favorite Animal Stories. Published 1949, (c) 1980.
* Read-To-Me Storybook Compiled by the Child Study Association of America, Illustrated by Lois Lenski. (c) 1947.

Found at a thrift shop. Total spent: $0.50.
* Skinny by Robert Burch (c) 1964
* M.E. And Morton by Sylvia Cassedy (c) 1987

Free through Paperback Swap. Total spent: NOTHING.
* General "Ike" Eisenhower by Delos W. Lovelace (c) 1944

Found online. Total spent: $12 + shipping
* The Four Graces by D. E. Stevenson (c) 1946, reprinted 1976
* Rear Admiral Byrd And the Polar Expeditions by Coram Foster (c) 1930
* Journey To Bethlehem by Delos W. Lovelace (c) 1953
* That Dodger Horse by Delos W. Lovelace (c) 1956

I am particularly excited to add some of the works written by Maud Hart Lovelace's husband, Delos, to my library. Likewise, I found the Read-to-Me Storybook a real treasure with it's short stories and poems including those written by Margaret Wise Brown (author of Good Night Moon) and stories and poems and illustrations by Lois Lenski.

Total books found = 14

Total spent = approx $17.50

Happy book hunting!

Tuesday Teaser

"I'd had the idea once, that if I could get the chance before I died I would read all the good books there were. Now I began to see that I wasn't apt to make it. This disappointed me, for I really wanted to read them all. But it consoled me in a way too, I could see that if I got them all read and had no more surprises in that line I would have been sorry."

(Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry, Chapter 6, page 47)

Murder in Mesopotamia by Agatha Christie

213 pages
Published 1935, reprinted 1985
A Bantom Book
published by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company
New York, NY

Published in the summer of 1936, both in the UK and the US, Murder in Mesopotamia is the 12th Hercule Poirot novel by Agatha Christie.

For those unfamiliar with the Middle East, the "Mesopotamia" in the title refers to the Tigris-Euphrates region in the eastern Mediterranean, which is largely composed of Iraq, northeastern Syria, and parts of Turkey and Iran. Ms. Christie spent some time in this area of the world with her second husband, Sir Max Mallowan, who was an archaeologist. And it is clearly evident that the Mediterranean had special meaning to Ms. Christie, for she dedicated Murder in Mesopotamia, the first of several novels set in and around the Middle East: "to my many archaeological friends in Iraq and Syria."

The Plot:
"When Amy Leatheran agrees to look after archaeologist Dr. Leidner’s wife at a dig near Hassanieh, she finds herself taking on more than just nursing duties – she also has to help solve murders. Fortunately for Amy, Hercule Poirot is visiting the excavation site. But will the great detective be in time to prevent a multiple murderer from striking again?" (Summary courtesy of AgathaChristie.com)

My Thoughts:
I enjoyed solving Murder in Mesopotamia. I found the story's setting to be both unique and interesting. I particularly liked it because I knew Ms. Christie drew upon personal experience when writing this novel. The narration style of this book was somewhat unique in that the narrator was a stranger to the reader and in that sense reminded me a little of The Man in the Brown Suit and The Mystery of the Blue Train. As I have found to be the case with most of her crime novels, the plot was fast moving and interesting, the characters were diverse, and the mystery a little tricky. But unlike several of Agatha Christie's early mysteries I actually managed to solve this one before it was revealed to the reader. I was so pleased with myself!

One fun note is that although Murder in Mesopotamia was published in 1936, the events occur three years in the past in 1933. Readers of Murder on the Orient Express will recall Hercule Poirot has just returned from Mesopotamia when he travels on the Orient Express and solves that murder. (Click on the title to read my review of the novel.)

As I've mentioned before, I used to dislike Hercule Poirot. I'm not sure why as I had not read many of the novels where he was featured. I think from the little I knew of his character I thought him vain and annoying, but I've since changed my opinion. Over the last year I've read twelve novels where he solves the crime and I've really come to admire the character Ms. Christie created as well as the detective. Perhaps he can be a bit vain, but I think within reason. Of course, ask me again when I reach the end of the Poirot mysteries if I've changed my mind. I read once that Agatha Christie was glad to be done with Poirot when she finished her final novel starring the Belgian detective.

For those interested in watching a film version this novel, David Suchet stars in the role of Hercule Poirot in the 2001 adaptation for the Agatha Christie's Poirot series. Suchet, in my opinion is the best actor to play Poirot. Although I have yet to see this movie I read that the character of Captain Hastings was added to the story (he does not make an appearance in the book), which resulted in reducing Amy Leatheran's character drastically.

In summary, on a scale of 1-5, 1 being horrible and 5 being excellent I would rate Murder in Mesopotamia a 3.5. I really enjoyed it, but I missed Captain Hastings and the English setting. And while the setting was unique and interesting, I can't say it was a favorite, but still it's a definite must read for fans of Hercule Poirot. Borrow vs. buy this book, unless you intend to collect the complete works of the Queen of Crime, Dame Agatha Christie.

Up next: Another Poirot mystery, Cards On the Table, review to come later this month.

Silence is...

They say "silence is golden," but I wonder if that is still true of blogs?

I feel as though I've said this a lot in recent weeks, but pardon my silence. I haven't had any free time in the last week. But I do have books I'm trying to find time to read, reviews that need to be written, quotes to post, and links to link. I will be back, hopefully with a lot more free time in the coming weeks.

Thanks for waiting.

Tuesday Teasers

"Telling a story is like reaching into a granary full of wheat and drawing out a handful. There is always more to tell than can be told."

(Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry, Chapter 4, page 29)

Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge Wrap-Up

What a fun month I've had re-reading the last of the Betsy-Tacy books as well as discovering and enjoying some of Maud Hart Lovelace's lesser-known, but equally good novels!

It is my hope that by hosting the first Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge I have encouraged new readers to the Betsy-Tacy series (and its author) to give them a try and in turn sparked an interest in the books, which I believe will naturally grow into a love for them. As for readers who've enjoyed the books in the past, it is my hope that this challenge gave them a chance to become reacquainted with Betsy, Tacy, and Tib or perhaps to discover some of the other wonderful stories that Maud penned during her lifetime.

Personally I came into this reading challenge already a fan of the Betsy-Tacy books, having read and enjoyed them as a teenager, but now as the challenge comes to a close I realize my enjoyment has grown into a deeper love for the books and a great admiration for the author. I cannot explain the special connection I feel to Betsy Ray and her world, but I can feel it. I will treasure these books all my life and I excitedly await the time when I can share them with my daughter.

To recap my reads for the MHL reading challenge: I read 7 books (6 by and 1 about MHL) during the month+ reading challenge (September 28-October 31), but for the sake of those new to the books I am going to link up all the reviews I've posted about Maud's books, including those from earlier in the year. For those looking for more facts about MHL check out my More About Betsy, Tacy, Tib and Maud Hart Lovelace post. And for those looking to post your own links scroll on down to the Mr. Linky. I cannot wait to read what you have to say!

Books read by MHL:
Betsy-Tacy
Betsy, Tacy and Tib
Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill
Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown
Heavens to Betsy
Betsy in Spite of Herself
Betsy Was a Junior
Betsy and Joe
Betsy and the Great World
Betsy's Wedding
Winnona's Pony Cart
Carney's House Party
Emily of Deep Valley
The Trees Kneel At Christmas
One Stayed At Welcome (with Delos Lovelace)
The Betsy-Tacy Companion by Sharla Scannell Whalen (biography of MHL)

What about you, what did you read? Link to your own reviews, MHL related posts, or your own MHL reading challenge wrap up post here:




In closing, please leave a comment and let me know if you would like to see a return of the Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge next fall, giving you a chance to read more of her books or short stories.

October: A Month In Review

I love autumn. I love the cool days, the colored leaves, and to a small degree, I love the rain. Although I love to read all year I really feel as though Autumn is the start of book reading season. When the weather turns bad there's nothing quite like a quiet evening or a rainy afternoon on the weekend curled up with a good book.

Looking back over the last few weeks I can't believe how quickly October passed, it was a busy month. Still I was able to get in a decent amount of reading. At the beginning of the month I had high hopes to read several books for the Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge as well as a half-dozen other books, but in the end I only managed to finish 7 books, 5 of which were for the Lovelace challenge and only 1 non-Lovelace book that was on my projected reading list for October.

Still, I count it a very successful month. I was able to obtain some rare books through Inter Library Loan, which made my reading that much more fun. Here's a recap of my October reads with links to their reviews:

1. Rochester's Wife by D. E. Stevenson
2. Betsy and The Great World by Maud Hart Lovelace
3. Betsy's Wedding by Maud Hart Lovelace
4. One Stayed At Welcome by Maud and Delos Lovelace
5. Miss Buncle Married by D. E. Stevenson
6. Murder In Mesopotamia by Agatha Christie
7. The Betsy-Tacy Companion by Sharla Scannell Whalen

So that's what I read this month, but what is on my list for November?

Check out my recent What's On My Nightstand post for a preview. And those of you who've been reading for the Maud Hart Lovelace Challenge, be sure to come back tomorrow to link up your posts.