Recent Reads

69. The Signature of All Things
I have been immersed in the life of Alma Whittaker for a couple of weeks, and I confess that when the book ended, I was surprised at my sense of loss. It feels like a beloved friend just died.

Most reviews actually give away important plot points, so all I'll say is that this is the story of Alma Whittaker, a smart, large, not very beautiful woman, who has a driving passion for knowledge and making sense of the natural world around her. Spanning the heady scientific 18th and 19th centuries, this saga explores the world of science, botany, and intellect through Alma's eyes. A travelogue of sorts, the story explores both the inner workings of a human heart and mind, as well as far flung places around the globe. The story unfolds slowly, and if you are even remotely familiar with the history of science, you will delight in the ways Alma gets inserted into the landscape. 

I listened to the audiobook, superbly narrated by Juliet Stevenson, and I would highly recommend the audio version of this book. Fans of historical fiction with strong, brainy, flawed, non-bodice-ripping women move this one to the top of your TBR list. Rating: 5 stars.

70. How to Read a Novelist
This fun and informative collection of author interviews hit my sweet spot. John Freeman introduces each author interview with an insightful summary of the author's work to date, and the essays are as diverse as the people being interviewed. The essays are short, but this is not a book to read in one sitting. Dip in and out. Read up on your fave authors first, or start at with authors new to you. This is a book I will certainly dip into again. Most of the authors interviewed were not new to me, but there where several I had not heard of before. Oh and yes, my TBR pile just got longer. Thanks John! Rating: 4 stars.

71. This One Summer
There are families that rent a lake cottage every summer at Awago Beach. Rose and Windy are girls whose parents do just that, and they have developed a long friendship over these summer vacations. This year things at home and in town expose the girls to challenges that they struggle to understand and deal with. This coming of age graphic novel is targeted at teenagers, and while I liked the story, I loved the graphics. Rating: 3 stars.

72. Stencil Girl: Mixed-Media Techniques for Making and Using Stencils
I'm on a stencil making jag, so am reading books on the topic. This one has some helpful tips, but the projects are not to my taste. Rating: 2 stars.

73. Show Your Work!: 10 Ways to Share Your Creativity and Get Discovered
There are some fantastic nuggets and ideas in this book, but I did not find it as meaty as his previous work. There were a bit too many quotes and platitudes for my taste, but it is worth reading this book and mining for those nuggets. Rating: 3 stars.