Time to Review a Few Books

So – whatcha readin’? I’m one of those writers who reads a lot. Always have a book waiting for me and one after that, too. So, I thought you might like it if I shared a few recent reads with you.

A Disgrace to the Profession by Mark Steyn – Well, doesn’t he go after the climate change – aka, global warming – proponents in this one. Not in a way you might think, however. He leaves his own opinions on the sidelines for the most part and lets noted scientists and  climatologists have their say. His target is Michael Mann’s “hockey stick” graph which apparently started the whole kerfuffle way back when. I’ll admit I never heard of the man, but I’ve always loved listening to Mark, who is a very witty Canadian human rights advocate, and this book sheds some interesting light on the subject. The rats are scurrying, too. From the viewpoint of these gathered professionals we’ve been led down the garden path. For my part, I’ve always raised an eyebrow when someone begins to cry “the sky is falling” and this book splays wide a hoax - at least on Mann’s part. It is gluten free, though. There’s that.  

The World of Downton Abbey by Jessica Fellowes (with forward by Julian Fellowes) – Wowsa. What a lot of research and meticulous story crafting went into this series and the book, too. Not only are we treated to the “way it was back then”, but there are tons of pictures in this lovingly compiled work. I learned so much. Like why the daily newspapers of the late 1800’s had to be ironed before they were taken to Lord Grantham or how the development of the bell-board was so liberating to the servant classes. Fascinating. And the clothes! My dear, let me tell you. Anyway.  My daughter-in-law, Kate, gave this book to me a few years ago for Christmas. She knows I’m a DA junkie. If you’re not a fan of the BBC program, I feel so sorry for you. Just kidding, but this is a treasure of a book. I’ll thumb through it from time to time for at least the next five years. Until Julian Fellowes gifts us with something else, that is.

When I Found You by Catherine Ryan Hyde – One of the most interesting premises I’ve seen in a long while. Here’s a question for you. If you found a one day old infant in the woods – still alive – what would you do? I know, that’s a tough one. When Hyde’s protagonist, Nathan McCann – out hunting, comes upon the child, and sees life in the little form, he puts down his gun, grabs the baby and high tails it for the local hospital. The child is saved and Nathan wants to adopt him. But his wife puts a big “NO” to that notion and the child’s grandmother steps in, removing the possibility anyway. Nathan nonetheless stays on the edges of the boy’s life and the effect they have on each other makes this one a page turner. It lacks a bit of zing, somehow, but I’d still recommend it.

There you go. Three to ponder. Would love to hear of your latest literary gems.

Happy Presidents Day!