I came across this book by accident when I followed a link from a review of a different book to the author's website (she'd also done a review of the I came across this book by accident when I followed a link from a review of a different book to the author's website (she'd also done a review of the other book). The Roots of All Evil was mentioned on her website and it sounded like something I'd enjoy. Since an ebook version was available, I picked it up, and I'm glad I did.
It's a light, enjoyable cozy dealing with two sisters, Carolyn and Nan, who run a shop specializing in vintage home decor items. They're headed out for what's supposed to be a relaxing weekend hanging out with other women who share their hobby of decorating and camping out in vintage trailers. But someone turns up dead the next morning and their new friend Kitty is the chief suspect.
It's a clean read. No language. There's much discussion of adultery (it's one of the main plot points) but no description. Some violence, but mostly off stage.
My only nitpick? Carolyn and Nan really need to invest in a vintage watercooler for Silver and Salvage. For women interested in recycling and upcycling, they sure go through a lot of bottled water....more
Unlike so many sequels, this one was not disappointing, probably because (judging by the number of threads that carried through) the series w3.5 stars
Unlike so many sequels, this one was not disappointing, probably because (judging by the number of threads that carried through) the series was planned from the beginning. The first chapter was a bit busy and lacklustre because it was filling in the backstory for those who either hadn't read the previous book or had forgotten it. After that, things moved along nicely.
It's a fun, light read, mostly revolving around Happi, the second oldest girl in a family of six (five girls and one boy), their adopted sister Gretta and the two boys next door. The girls open a tea room to help with household expenses (I did find that part a bit unbelievable, it all seemed to happen so easily), meet some new characters, and romance continues to be in the air for oldest daughter Marjorie, to Happi's horror.
At the end of the book, there are still some loose threads to entice you on to book three, which I probably will hunt down and read at some point....more
Since the book description at the top of the page is literally a description of the book's binding, I thought the following, pulled from the back of tSince the book description at the top of the page is literally a description of the book's binding, I thought the following, pulled from the back of the book, might be helpful.
"This strong, historical novel deals with the period when Tiberius went to live in the island of Capri and built his palace, and with the attempt of Sejanus, Commander of the Praetorian Guards, to make himself Emperor of Rome. The characters of the corrupt Emperor Tiberius, Sejanus, his favorite, and Agrippinna, the widow of Germanicus, are portrayed with great power, and the author has described the Rome of the time with the utmost faithfulness. Psyche, the heroine, is a beautiful Greek dancer, betrothed to Gyges, a charioteer in the Roman circus."
Unfortunately, Psyche has very little to do with the story, other than being an innocent who gets caught up in a conspiracy. If you enjoy historical novels, the story is entertaining enough and certainly gives a feel for an era I'm really glad I don't live in....more
This is the story of a young orphan girl, Lisbeth, who is the goatherd on a Norwegian farm. Sounds like Heidi? It isn't, it feels much more realistic.This is the story of a young orphan girl, Lisbeth, who is the goatherd on a Norwegian farm. Sounds like Heidi? It isn't, it feels much more realistic. There's no plot in the sense of some great problem that has to be overcome, it's more like a fictional biography. Some sad events, some happy, some humorous, especially the antics of Crookhorn the goat.
Try it, if you enjoy children's stories set in other times and places....more
I loved the idea of this book. There are a series of letters/devotionals and prayers from an unmarried, godly woman, looking for an unmarried godly maI loved the idea of this book. There are a series of letters/devotionals and prayers from an unmarried, godly woman, looking for an unmarried godly man. The author has obviously poured her heart into her writing.
While the book is designed for those who have not yet met their future spouse, it could make a great engagement present from one member of the couple to the other. It could also be used, obviously with modifications, by those of us who are already married, widowed, or not called to marry, for ideas on how to pray for the men in our life that they would grow in Christ, whether that be husbands, fathers, brothers, sons......more
I really enjoyed the first two-thirds of the book, where aspiring writer Jessica and newspaper editor Philip, having met once in person, are exchanginI really enjoyed the first two-thirds of the book, where aspiring writer Jessica and newspaper editor Philip, having met once in person, are exchanging letters on philosophy and worldviews (not usually my thing, but it was entertaining), getting to know each other, and falling in love. But it all falls apart in the last third, where the characters' reactions to the conflict feel wrong, as does the resolution. Your mileage may vary....more
Unlike some of her other books, this is not a children's story (though it centres around a child), so if that's what you're looking for, you're in theUnlike some of her other books, this is not a children's story (though it centres around a child), so if that's what you're looking for, you're in the wrong place. If you like a good piece of snark, however, (and I do, though I know I probably shouldn't) you'll enjoy this.
Marm Lisa is seen by those around her as less than bright, though whether this is due to brain damage (there's a suggestion she's suffered seizures) or due to being born into poverty and never having any positive stimulus is unclear. Her guardian, Mrs. Grubb, is happy to have Lisa look after her niece and nephew, two wild and undisciplined brats, so that she can spend her time on self-enlightenment and founding or joining societies on the latest ideas where she can be the centre of attention. Mistress Mary is the teacher at some sort of a school for young children, and sees potential in Lisa (and even the twins) and wants to help her.
There is politically incorrect (by today's standards) language used to describe Lisa, but the author seems quite sympathetic towards her. There is also one point where one of the children in the school repeats something racist that he's picked up from his father, and a description of a festival in Chinatown which some might find offensive....more
Judging by the other reviews, I'm one of the few people that didn't like this book, and I generally do enjoy old books. Probably because I was expectiJudging by the other reviews, I'm one of the few people that didn't like this book, and I generally do enjoy old books. Probably because I was expecting from the title that it would be a jolly, upbeat book suitable for small children, and it wasn't.
Any book that has two deaths (one from alcohol, one from starvation and exposure) and a fire in the first few chapters isn't what I'd call upbeat, even if the main character maintains a cheerful disposition in the face of all disaster.
Most children's books centre around one or more children. This one is more about their mother. And death due to alcoholism (two different people), is a hard topic. Not to mention the romance subplot tacked on which probably wouldn't interest young children.
I also don't enjoy humour revolving around people who do or say things incorrectly because they don't know any better and most of the laughs in this book are that kind. Mrs. Wiggs naming her three girls Asia, Australia, and Europena because she likes "jography" names is a good example.
That's as far as I'd gotten in my thinking when I started reading Marm Lisa by Kate Douglas Wiggin, an author I enjoy and who was mentioned by several reviewers of this book as writing similar things. What should I come across but a set of twins named Atlantic and Pacific? A quick Google search showed Marm Lisa to be published earlier by five years, so if there was any influence, it was running from Wiggin to Rice.
I was telling my husband about this when he pointed out the similarity in the last names--Wiggs and Wiggin. Maybe we're looking at parody/black humour. Mrs. Wiggs IS rather over the top for the strong, independent but poor widow trying to raise her children--so independent that she'd rather let a child die than ask someone for help.
Right or wrong, I'm sure there's an English lit thesis in there somewhere, but I have no intention of going back to school to write it....more
My husband passed me this book when he'd finished it, thinking I might enjoy it as well. He was right. I laughed a lot while reading it and shared allMy husband passed me this book when he'd finished it, thinking I might enjoy it as well. He was right. I laughed a lot while reading it and shared all the good bits even though I knew he'd already seen them. It didn't matter that I hadn't read any of the previous books (although I probably will, now), that wasn't necessary to follow the story.
Okay, there's no character development, no overarching theme, no moral, but sometimes you just want candy. This was very good candy....more
Eleven-year-old Fleda has a hard life. Already orphaned, she's living with her grandfather, who's living in poor health and about to lose th3.5 stars.
Eleven-year-old Fleda has a hard life. Already orphaned, she's living with her grandfather, who's living in poor health and about to lose the family farm. And things don't get better from there. But Fleda has faith and perseveres, working hard to keep her lazy (for the most part) relatives fed and clothed. As she grows older, various men are attempting to court her, but she seems oblivious or indifferent to all of them.
After several years, a childhood friend comes back into the picture. Will things finally change for the better?
I did enjoy this book but it seemed rather long. I felt that if the chapters setting forth the author's opinions on various things (America versus England, slave trade versus factory workers, educating women and the poor, being Christian helping you see beauty where others don't...), passed off as conversations between the characters, had been cut, things would have moved faster without affecting the plot....more
Oddly enough, this was not only the second book I've read recently about a bunch of girls moving to f farm, but the second with a character named KereOddly enough, this was not only the second book I've read recently about a bunch of girls moving to f farm, but the second with a character named Keren-Happuch (apparently the name of one of Job's daughters--I had to look it up).
This was an enjoyable read about a widow struggling to make ends meet with her six children, who is forced by sheer exhaustion to take several months off and live in the country. The story is told through the eyes of one of her daughters and, while not a classic, was entertaining enough that I'll be looking for the next in the series....more
As an historical document, this book is quite interesting. It's also rather scary. The members of the American Protective League, a self-selected grouAs an historical document, this book is quite interesting. It's also rather scary. The members of the American Protective League, a self-selected group of men "of the best type," according to the author, volunteered to help keep America safe during World War I. The book presents them as patriots, but they come across more like bullies or mobsters. Basically, they were a secret society spying on their neighbours and co-workers, anyone who had a German name or looked German, anyone that professed socialism or pacifism, anyone that wasn't totally enthusiastic about the war, anyone that wasn't an unhyphenated American. Whether you were a draft dodger, a saboteur, or just somebody hoarding sugar, they were out to get you. The author actually brags about how they would break into people's offices, and rifle through and photograph their papers, or lean on people with money to buy Liberty bonds or risk looking like traitors....more
![A circuit rider's wife, by Corra Harris; with illustrations by William H. Everett. 1910 [Leather Bound]](https://cdn.statically.io/img/i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1699612798l/129347408._SX50_.jpg)
![Psyche / by Walter S. Cramp ; with illustrations from drawings by W.T. Benda. 1905 [Leather Bound]](https://cdn.statically.io/img/i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1697587035l/149402904._SX50_.jpg)
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