Another good read

Phoebe recommended this to me - and it does not disappoint in a major way.  I read several reviews - one from the New York Times - and they all commented that the sense of disaster was "underplayed" to the detriment of the story. I did notice that feature after reading the reviews - but it didn't detract for me.

The premise is the world after a pandemic destroys 99 percent of the world's population - and a Traveling Symphony - featuring music and Shakespeare - travels around one part of the world and gives us a picture of what life has become.

It is not The Road, but it is a good story.  Especially is you like Shakespeare!

Another title from Eliza's stack!

This was also on Eliza's stack - and Hannah had read the book and seen the movie and thought both were quite good.  She and Eliza found them both amusing - I'm not sure I found the book amusing - but it was charming in an offbeat kind of way.

The story line is convoluted but intriguing - a good read!!

An interesting plotline -

Eliza had a stack of library books in her living room - and I of course can't resist a book!!  This one was an interesting plotline - a pretty good story too.  

The premise is that Margot Frank, Anne Frank's older sister, did not die in the holocaust - and she is living in Philadelphia in the 50's - waiting for Peter Van Dan to find her - as they had previously arranged!

Well, read it and find out - and let me know what you think!!

Seven Decades!!

A little "visual" tour of the journey to 70 - and 1 husband, 6 kids, 5 spouses, one girlfriend, 20 grandkids (I'm writing this early - hope those two new grandbabies have been born by now!!)

Here I am at the end of the first decade of my life - 10 years old!!

And here I am at the 20th surprise birthday party that Alice and my friends at BYU put on for me!!  Another decade down!

And here I am at age 30 - married with 2 kids!!

 Here I am at age 40 - just prior to having 2 more kids!!  (Eliza came when I was 38.)

Here I am at age 50 - with Phoebe, who came along when I was 32.

Here I am on my actual 60th birthday - goodness it was a celebration - thanks to my good buddies at Clifton Middle School!!

And this was last November - almost 70.  For my 70th birthday,  I am in Virginia, helping out with the newest little Selander!!

Wonder what 80 will look like??

Some wonderful mothers I know and love!!

When I first became a mother, I certainly had no idea that almost 45 years later, I would be scrolling through hundreds of photos of our kids and grandkids - and that I would be feeling incredibly blessed!

Number 30 - more than half-way through the challenge!!

Not sure why I call it a "challenge" to read 52 books a year - I suspect I do that most years - but I'm still more than half-way through and it's only May!

This is about London and the Blitz during World War II and the evacuation of children to the countryside.  But it's also a story of secrets and misunderstandings.

It's a "good read," but it's not especially well-written.  The story line is compelling, but when you are finished, you find yourself thinking, "Gee, that could have been done better."  My biggest complaint was the excessive amount of detail that did nothing for the story.  But then, that's always my complaint.

Too bad I've read it - it would make a great airplane read!!

Good thing I have plenty in my Kindle library for my upcoming trip!!

Number 29 of 52!

Leslie suggested this book when she was here.  It's the true story of a young woman's incredible journey through a very terrible disease.

It is full of facts and science - but is nonetheless gripping and compelling reading.  The author was a journalist for the New York Post when a rare auto-immune disease struck and upended her life.

Medical science was able to save her - but not before doctors and family members were persistent in their efforts to track down the cause of the very strange and dangerous symptoms she was suffering from.

I am especially intrigued by the apparent connection, in some cases, to autism!

I'm sure as more research happens and more awareness is created, fascinating science will give us some much-needed answers!!