Horace is apprenticed to learn the new art of photography in 1872 New York City. His master is not a very diligent worker but he does understand the new art of photos and how to sell to his customers.
When the photographer is asked to work with a wealthy lady Horace is forced into using a spy camera to take photos of the deceased daughter's portrait as part of a hoax to create more business. Even though Horace feels trepidation at being part of a dishonest scam he goes through with his instructions.
He gets the photos that he was ordered to take along with a surprising addition.
Follow Horace as he and Pegg, the young servant girl who was also a friend of the deceased, as they try to solve the mystery of the photo and how it appeared.
An excellent read, a bit of mystery, the birth of the art of photography and a good dose of paranormal activity to make a great page turner.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
A favorite story of survival and adventure of young adults Hatchet is the type of book that often gets the reluctant reader to become a voracious reader.
Brian is flying out to see his father in the oil fields when the pilot in the small plane has a heart attack and dies. Brian is lucky enough to make a crash landing in a lake but has gone so far off course that searchers do not find him and the plane has sunk into the lake.
What follows is a summer of hardship, self-knowledge and survival. Brian comes to learn much about himself as he learns how to survive with only a hatchet.
Brian is flying out to see his father in the oil fields when the pilot in the small plane has a heart attack and dies. Brian is lucky enough to make a crash landing in a lake but has gone so far off course that searchers do not find him and the plane has sunk into the lake.
What follows is a summer of hardship, self-knowledge and survival. Brian comes to learn much about himself as he learns how to survive with only a hatchet.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Shattered Silk by Barbara Michaels
Karen is coming out of a bad marriage and agrees to house sit for her aunt and uncle in their Georgetown home while they travel abroad. Working part time in an antique store gives her motivation to get out of her funk and begin living again.
After taking on commision designer gowns from her uncle's aunt the door is opened for her to buy vintage clothing from a few other elderly ladies on society. This is where things get intresting.
Not only does her flame from college come into the picture, so does his sister who becomes a great friend, along with a detective who is drop dead gorgeous. A co-worker is murdered, the house is broken into multiple times and everything seems to be going to hell in a handbasket.
An exciting conclusion makes Shattered Silk a great read along with the factual flavor of Georgetown and vintage clothing.
After taking on commision designer gowns from her uncle's aunt the door is opened for her to buy vintage clothing from a few other elderly ladies on society. This is where things get intresting.
Not only does her flame from college come into the picture, so does his sister who becomes a great friend, along with a detective who is drop dead gorgeous. A co-worker is murdered, the house is broken into multiple times and everything seems to be going to hell in a handbasket.
An exciting conclusion makes Shattered Silk a great read along with the factual flavor of Georgetown and vintage clothing.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Bliss - Lauren Myracle
1969 is a time of contrast in society. Hippies live in communes or groups away from, or in the middle of, society. Segregation is ending, Vietnam is on the nightly news right along side the Manson Family trial.
Bliss, yes that is her name, is sent from her family in Canada, where they live to avoid the draft, to make a new life with her grandmother in Atlanta. Bliss goes from living in a tent to a home where you dress for supper, even if it is only the two of you. She also goes from learning by a campfire to an exclusive Atlanta school. There are a couple of token scholarship students, including one carefully chosen young black man but otherwise all the students are pretty much from the same mold.
There is one little twist, Bliss hears a voice that compels her to find the key to open a locked door in an unused portion of the school buildings. That opens up a series of events that lead to the conclusion.
Interspaced with the narration by Bliss are diary entries from another source, Andy Griffith Show quotes and transcripts from the Manson Family trial. The feel of the time is right and brings back many memories for people that lived during this time.
I found it interesting that I remembered the Manson trials, I should have been to young. It is possible that someone was just talking about it later but I do not believe that is the way it occured.
Great book and I recommend it.
Bliss, yes that is her name, is sent from her family in Canada, where they live to avoid the draft, to make a new life with her grandmother in Atlanta. Bliss goes from living in a tent to a home where you dress for supper, even if it is only the two of you. She also goes from learning by a campfire to an exclusive Atlanta school. There are a couple of token scholarship students, including one carefully chosen young black man but otherwise all the students are pretty much from the same mold.
There is one little twist, Bliss hears a voice that compels her to find the key to open a locked door in an unused portion of the school buildings. That opens up a series of events that lead to the conclusion.
Interspaced with the narration by Bliss are diary entries from another source, Andy Griffith Show quotes and transcripts from the Manson Family trial. The feel of the time is right and brings back many memories for people that lived during this time.
I found it interesting that I remembered the Manson trials, I should have been to young. It is possible that someone was just talking about it later but I do not believe that is the way it occured.
Great book and I recommend it.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
The Throne of Fire - Rick Riordan
Time to brush up on your Egyptian gods as you follow the Kanes on their latest adventures. Sure, all teenagers have issues with siblings, parents, grandparents and extended family but when you go to visit your grandparents and they have been taken over by the goddess of vultures and a cohort you know it is not going to be a good birthday.
Fast paced, just enough teenage angst to offer some quality sarcasm and an enjoyable read. Looking forward to the next installment in the Kane Chronicles.
Fast paced, just enough teenage angst to offer some quality sarcasm and an enjoyable read. Looking forward to the next installment in the Kane Chronicles.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Tom Sawyer is a classic for a reason, people are the same now as they were when the book was written. One of the better examples of this is the scene during Sunday School when Judge Thatcher arrives. Peacocks do not preen nearly as much. Of course Tom is able to preen and receive his Bible and then fail in an epic manner upon being introduced to the esteemed Judge Thatcher.
What was most interesting is even though I am extrememly familiar with the book having read it for the first time in second grade and at least twice a year every year through sixth grade it was new in many ways. The perspective and live experience of the reader has as much to do with the enjoyment of a book as the skill of the writer. Earlier reading had Aunt Polly as a foolish old woman. From the adult perspective the only question is why she had not pinched his head off long ago.
The inclusion of rules of behavior and superstisions adds richness to the story at many levels. This has not changed in the lives of boys either, just the superstisions and rules have.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is a book well worth reading or rereading as the case may be.
What was most interesting is even though I am extrememly familiar with the book having read it for the first time in second grade and at least twice a year every year through sixth grade it was new in many ways. The perspective and live experience of the reader has as much to do with the enjoyment of a book as the skill of the writer. Earlier reading had Aunt Polly as a foolish old woman. From the adult perspective the only question is why she had not pinched his head off long ago.
The inclusion of rules of behavior and superstisions adds richness to the story at many levels. This has not changed in the lives of boys either, just the superstisions and rules have.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is a book well worth reading or rereading as the case may be.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare
Will, Jem and Tessa are locked in a fight against the shadows of Mortiman and his army of spies and mechanical devices. Tessa still has no idea of what exactly she is and how she has the powers that she posses, although they are handy on occasion.
Will is still trying to find the demon that cursed him with the assistance of Magnus Bane. Jem struggles with the addiction that is killing him but without rhe drug he will only die quickly and painfully. Tessa runs into her brother Nate again and must decide how to deal with him.
Filled with action and intrigue Clockwork Prince leaves you slathering for more and on reading the final page you close the book with a thud and proclaim that the next installment must come quickly.
An enjoyable read, fast paced and just enough romance to keep things interesting, even for non-fans of romance.
Will is still trying to find the demon that cursed him with the assistance of Magnus Bane. Jem struggles with the addiction that is killing him but without rhe drug he will only die quickly and painfully. Tessa runs into her brother Nate again and must decide how to deal with him.
Filled with action and intrigue Clockwork Prince leaves you slathering for more and on reading the final page you close the book with a thud and proclaim that the next installment must come quickly.
An enjoyable read, fast paced and just enough romance to keep things interesting, even for non-fans of romance.
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