It's Monday, What are You Reading? Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

It's Monday, What are You Reading? 
 Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins


This is the thirty-third entry for this meme suggested by Sheila@ One Persons Journey Through A World of Books. [Entries 22-25 in the series were posted at  the Dr. Bill Tells Ancestor Stories]


This is the third book in The Hunger Games trilogy. She does an interesting job making you anxious for the next book…  ;-)

Book Description from Amazon:

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she's made it out of the bloody arena alive, she's still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what's worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss's family, not her friends, not the people of District 12. Powerful and haunting, this thrilling final installment of Suzanne Collins's groundbreaking The Hunger Games trilogy promises to be one of the most talked about books of the year.

Click on the photo to go to Amazon.com page for the book

Happy Reading!

Dr. Bill  ;-)

The Heritage Tourist at The In-Depth Genealogist

The Heritage Tourist at The In-Depth Genealogist

I am pleased to announce that I have joined the writing team at "The In-Depth Genealogist: A digi-mag for every genealogist" as a monthly columnist writing as "The Heritage Tourist."

I will be encouraging our readers to incorporate the social context of genealogical and family history travels into their planning, looking specifically at historical, cultural and nature elements and environments. If you travel more than 50 miles from home, you are a tourist. Are you a heritage tourist?

Please sign up to get the next edition of the digi-mag, coming out soon (click on the logo, above, or on the link directly). Be sure to look for The Heritage Tourist column as well as each of the stories written by other members of the team.

Happy Reading!  ;-)

It's Monday, What are You Reading? Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

  

It's Monday, What are You Reading? 

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins


This is the thirty-second entry for this meme suggested by Sheila@ One Persons Journey Through A World of Books. [Entries 22-25 in the series were posted at  the Dr. Bill Tells Ancestor Stories]


This is the second book in The Hunger Games trilogy. After getting through The Hunger Games, I was really ready to go right on to Catching Fire. It is a bit different, but the writing is the same.

Book Description from Amazon:

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.
 

[Click on the photo to go to Amazon.com page for the book]



Happy Reading!

Dr. Bill  ;-)

Review of The Wisdom of John Muir compiled by Anne Rowthorn

Review of "The Wisdom of John Muir: 100 Selections from the Letters, Journals and Essays of the Great Naturalist"
compiled by Anne Rowthorn.

This is the Product Description from Amazon.com:

The Wisdom of John Muir marries the best aspects of a Muir anthology with the best aspects of a Muir biography. The fact that it is neither, and yet it is both, distinguishes this book from the many extant books on John Muir. Building on her lifelong passion for the work and philosophy of John Muir, author Anne Rowthorn has created this entirely new treatment for showcasing the great naturalist's philosophy and writings. By pairing carefully selected material from various stages of Muir's life, Rowthorn's book provides a view into the experiences, places, and people that inspired and informed Muir's words and beliefs. The reader feels able to join in with Muir's own discoveries and transformations over the arc of his life. Rowthorn is careful not to overstep her role: she stands back and lets Muir's words speak for themselves.

This is my review for LibraryThing; I had received a reviewer copy under their Early Reviewer program:

This book is a good example where the product description is very descriptive. This book will be loved by John Muir followers and largely ignored by everyone else. Anne Rowthorn has done a fine job of compiling the book exactly as described. I will reiterate that this book is as much a reference as a book to read cover-to-cover. I enjoyed her commentary on John Muir as much as the Muir quotes. The writing of the late nineteenth is on exhibit in his writings. If you love that style and the wilderness of the west, you will thoroughly enjoy reading from this book. For me, personally, a little bit goes a long, long ways. Also, the font is extremely small and the 'literary' choice of ink color and paper did not provide enough contrast for me. It made it had to stay with it, for me. This book is a fine contribution, as noted in the description. I will hold on to it as a reference, because I admire the work of Muir. I know I will check back in, from time to time. to read another passage.






Happy Reading!  ;-)

It's Monday, What are You Reading? The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

It's Monday, What are You Reading? 
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins


This is the thirty-first entry for this meme suggested by Sheila@ One Persons Journey Through A World of Books. [Entries 22-25 in the series were posted at  the Dr. Bill Tells Ancestor Stories]


I downloaded the book on my Kindle a couple of months ago to read. I'm a Jennifer Lawrence fan from her Winter's Bone movie role. My three grown daughters have been The Hunger Games fans from the book since they came out. I thought I should give the first a try. I could not get past the first few pages, for some reason, just not interested.

My Middle Daughter, Allison, suggested I try the hardback, and she brought it over. I do not know what the difference was (I've read many books on the Kindle!), but I got right into in hardback and am about half way through, at this moment, anxious to read more. I'll likely read the next two, as well. Eventually, I'll see the movie.

Interesting experience.

Happy Reading!

Dr. Bill  ;-)

What to include in a Memoir?

What to include in a Memoir?

This is a very complex topic, but I just read a good piece that I want to record and store, here, as well as share with you, my readers.

I follow the RSS Feed of Biff and Nan Barnes at "Stories to Tell" Family History and Memoirs. They provide complete services to writers, but their blog is also so useful.

Today's post: "Selecting Life Stories for a Memoir: The Highlights" written by Biff really struck a chord with me, today.

The quote from Helen Keller I found especially useful: “In order, therefore, not to be tedious I shall try to present in a series of sketches only the episodes that seem to me to be most interesting and important.”

I've been doing this, a bit, over on my Dr. Bill Tells Ancestor Stories blog... on occasional Thursdays and Sundays. Stop by, if you are interested.

Happy Reading, in the meantime.  ;-)

It's Monday, What are You Reading? The Siege of Washington by John Lockwood & Charles Lockwood

It's Monday, What are You Reading? 

The Siege of Washington: The Untold Story of the Twelve Days that Shook the Union

                                                by John Lockwood & Charles Lockwood


This is the thirty-first entry for this meme suggested by Sheila@ One Persons Journey Through A World of Books. [Entries 22-25 in the series were posted at  the Dr. Bill Tells Ancestor Stories]

My wife saw this book and got it for me. My thanks to her, again!  ;-)


From Amazon.com:

Product Description
On April 14, 1861, following the surrender of Fort Sumter, Washington was "put into the condition of a siege," declared Abraham Lincoln. Located sixty miles south of the Mason-Dixon Line, the nation's capital was surrounded by the slave states of Maryland and Virginia. With no fortifications and only a handful of trained soldiers, Washington was an ideal target for the Confederacy. The South echoed with cries of "On to Washington!" and Jefferson Davis's wife sent out cards inviting her friends to a reception at the White House on May 1.

Lincoln issued an emergency proclamation on April 15, calling for 75,000 troops to suppress the rebellion and protect the capital. One question now transfixed the nation: Whose forces would reach Washington first: Northern defenders or Southern attackers?

For 12 days, the city's fate hung in the balance. Washington was entirely isolated from the North--without trains, telegraph, or mail. Sandbags were stacked around major landmarks, and the unfinished Capitol was transformed into a barracks, with volunteer troops camping out in the House and Senate chambers. Meanwhile, Maryland secessionists blocked the passage of Union reinforcements trying to reach Washington, and a rumored force of 20,000 Confederate soldiers lay in wait just across the Potomac River.

Drawing on firsthand accounts, The Siege of Washington tells this story from the perspective of leading officials, residents trapped inside the city, Confederates plotting to seize it, and Union troops racing to save it, capturing with brilliance and immediacy the precarious first days of the Civil War. 

Happy Reading!  ;-)