The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society 

/Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

I pulled this out of a Little Free Library and am so glad I did! This book was a lovely read, about post-war Great Britain and the Isle of Guernsey, which was cut off and occupied by Nazis during WW2. A man reaches out to the main character, who is a reporter, and asks her about a certain author. He got one of her personal books that she had donated to a second hand shop, and he wanted to know more about the author and how he could go about getting more of his books. They began corresponding, and she learned of the book club that he and his friends started as a way to get together and eat without the Nazi soldiers knowing. She smelled a story worth writing about and traveled to Guernsey and became close to the members of the literary society, learning more about them and their war story,

After reading this, I learned that there was a movie, too. It was on Netflix so I watched it as soon as I could. The book, of course, is better, but the movie is definitely enjoyable and worth watching, but please read the book first!

Would you like to buy me a book, or help keep my little free library stocked and maintained? You can donate here: paypal.me/AmyVanGaasbeck 

 

The Golden Son, Shilpi Somaya Gowda

 

The Golden Son, Shilpi Somaya Gowda

I have  no idea where I got this book, probably from a little free library. I found it in my Mt. TBR pile and it looked like it could be a good read. I have only read one other book based in India and its culture, so it was enlightening to learn about their customs and long held traditions, cultures, and way of life. This is the story of a boy and a girl from two different families, but best friends, and the life paths they take, and their connection and relationship to each other. Anil pursues a degree in medicine, leaving his family in India to go to Dallas, Texas, where he finds a world and culture completely different from his own but does find some friends and roommates from India, and we see their friendship and character growth. Anil has to deal with racism on a few different levels, and the impact it has on his life. 

Leena stays in India and her parents arrange a marriage for her, which becomes a nightmare, and we follow her choices of how to deal with the trauma she endures, and what the culture says about her decisions and how it affects her. The two meet again after time passes, and some interesting things happen for the both of them.

This is definitely worth reading, even if you have no more knowledge of India than the Diwali episode of The Office, the author paints a vibrant and full picture of life in India, making it easy to immerse yourself in the story.

Would you like to buy me a book, or help keep my little free library stocked and maintained? You can donate here: paypal.me/AmyVanGaasbeck 

The Man Who Wanted Stars, Dean McLaughlin

The Man Who Wanted Stars, Dean McLaughlin

I picked this book out of a Bookcrossing bookbox almost 20 years ago and am ashamed to say it's been stored away all these years instead of out travelling around. It will be released into my Little Free Library.

I can't say this was the most enjoyable vintage sci-fi book I have read. The main character really wasn't likable, he was a cold, hard man, focused on reinstating space flight at whatever cost. It was interesting to see what he had to do in order to make it happen, which one would not have guessed or seen coming until halfway through the book.

The women in this book were stereotypical, the main one, Marty, was overly sexual, jumping around naked and flirtatious most of the time, and the other was a quiet and subdued homemaker always running back loyally to her abusive husband no matter how he treated or spoke to her, and no other thought was given to how these women were treated.  Both were pretty much just objects for men to use and make babies with. They could have had so much more added to their characters...but then again this was written in the mid-1960s.

I feel like it could have been better, could have even been a series, if the author would have added more depth to the characters and situation. He could have taken this idea and gone to the moon with it...pardon the play on words...

 

Weekly Reader collection 1953/54

My Weekly Reader

Do you remember getting Weekly Readers in grade school? The whole class would get them, and we would take time out of our schedule to read them together and learn new things about the world. I always looked forward to them, as well as the Weekly Reader book order that happened a couple times a year.

I was at an estate sale earlier this year, and discovered this bound collection of Weekly Readers from 1953 and 1954. I knew I had a treasure in my hands, and I only paid a dollar for it! (Current market value right now is around $50, I learned!)

I took my time reading this, one reader a day, and they were quite informative, covering such things as the current president and other political figures, possibility of space flight, technological advances, how things work, and nature, as well as teaching one about manners and courtesy. 

It was a delightful collection to read.

Would you like to buy me a book, or help keep my little free library stocked and maintained? You can donate here: paypal.me/AmyVanGaasbeck 

 

An Introduction to Oil Painting, Ray Smith

An Introduction to Oil Painting, Ray Smith

This hardcover book is part of the DK Art School series and was produced in association with the Royal Academy of Arts. I have read other books about oil painting and it seems each one of them contains different methods and techniques. This one also includes samples of works by many artists. It also talks about different supplies and how to use them, and tips on choosing colors. I think this one will stay in my library for future reference.

Would you like to buy me a book, or help keep my little free library stocked and maintained? You can donate here: paypal.me/AmyVanGaasbeck 

 

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.

Would you like to buy me a book, or help keep my little free library stocked and maintained? You can donate here: paypal.me/AmyVanGaasbeck 

 

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.

Would you like to buy me a book, or help keep my little free library stocked and maintained? You can donate here: paypal.me/AmyVanGaasbeck