The New Our New Friends, The New Basic Reader by William S. Gray, A. Sterl Artley, May Hill Arbuthnot

The New Our New Friends

This is a Dick and Jane book. I still have the one I learned to read on when I was about 2 1/2, and I think this might be the next level up. The words are more complex, even though the sentences are still small and simple. Dick and Jane have new friends in this book, so it isn't just all about Dick and Jane. It has some lovely illustrations in it by Keith Ward and Evelyn Copelman. This one will be going into my collection of reading primers.

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101 Workouts for Women, by the Editors of Muscle and Fitness

101 Workouts for Women

Fitness has been a big passion of mine, especially weightlifting, for the last 10 years. I picked this up from a thrift store, as I am always looking for ways not just to improve myself but to help others as well, considering I have been in the fitness industry for the last 5 years. I was pleased with what I found in this book.

It is what it says, a book of workouts. There are multiple workouts for each muscle group with photos and instructions on how to do each exercise. I would say this is an invaluable reference for all levels, and not just for women, but for men as well. 

I will be purchasing a few used copies to give away to people needing a little extra direction.

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Imperial Woman, The Story of the Last Empress of China, by Pearl S. Buck

Imperial Woman, by Pearl S. Buck

I have read some of Pearl Buck's work previously. I was delighted to come across this one. It is the story of Cixi, the Dowager Empress of China, based on true events. She, in a way similar to Esther, was plucked form her home and paraded in front of the Emperor, and chosen to be a concubine. Not #1 but just a concubine. She was intelligent and clever, however, and she learned that in order to get in good with the Emperor she needed to befriend his mother. From there, she got his attention and soon became pregnant and gave birth to the firstborn boy. This gave her a place as Empress Mother and changed her life. She asked for education on history and current events, and soon learned how to advise the Emperor in matters of state, something that was mostly unheard of back then in the 1800s. She gained more power and eventually ruled after the death of the Emperor. 

I did enjoy this read. The one part I didn't like was the chapters are so long, sometimes over 100 pages.

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