what I've been reading

the intention behind setting up this third blog (thinking mousemedicine is #1 and magical mouse quilts is #2) is that along with archiving the kids books I 'recommend' on #1's sidebar, is to write up brief reviews of books I've read. alas this intention has been little more than a promise and an aid for helping me pave my way to you know where!

with that said, there are a few books that I've read the last few months that I'd like to call attention to. the first is the birth house by ami mckay. I absolutely adored this book. I don't know if it was because of the main characters (two extraordinary women midwives/healers); the place (it's set in a small rural community in nova scotia located near the bay of fundy in the days before, during and after ww1); or the fact that the book addresses many of the complex social and political issues that ring my bell (gender issues, women's health as contested terrain; war and peace). anyhow, I actually know my reason for connecting so much with this brilliant book is because of all three of these things - character, setting and theme and mckay's ability to weave a story in a manner that is graceful, historical and yet extremely intimate. thank you susan - a midwife and healer herself - for bringing this book to me. I hope susan won't mind if I hold on to her copy a while longer as I know a couple other book-loving friends who will find this tale completely captivating.

another book I read recently that I just couldn't get enough of was motherless brooklyn by jonathan lethem. I admit I am fan of the mystery genre (yeah, me and how many billion others?). but here is a very different take on the genre of crime fiction. I was completely smitten by the 'hero' of the tale - lionel essrog -- who has to be the unlikeliest detective one will ever encounter. lionel has tourette's syndrome - and we're not talking 'mild case' easily disguised. anyhow, if you're looking for a romping good read check out this little gem. while looking for an image of the book on google I ran across this - man, I hope this is gonna happen!

speaking of mysteries, I have jen clair to thank for turning me on to another unlikely protagonist in the genre - aloysius pendergast and the pendergast series of books. I think there are eight books so far in the series. unfortunately I didn't start the series with book number 1, instead I started with book 3 (the cabinet of curiosities) - I immediately was hooked and proceeded to work my way through the 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 finishing up this wheel of darkness about a week ago. I guess I can go back and read the first two book in the series while I wait for authors preston and childs to finish up the next book in the series. I have likened pendergast to be a cross between sherlock holmes, macgyver, and indiana jones! I did see that there was a movie made of the first pendergast movie but when I checked out imdb it didn't even list pendergast as a character in the flick - so why bother!

last book on mousemedicine for pinkys, pups and kittens was shel silverstein. to me silverstein is the bard of contemporary children's verse. every child and every home needs to contain at least one volume of his remarkable poetry! I have yet to read his book the giving tree without breaking into tears....but that's okay - I'm always up for a good cry - especially if it's because something has touched my heart and my soul. of course it is a bit annoying if I find myself sobbing when I'm trying to read a book out loud to a pinky, pup or kitten - but when I'm 'on' I'm usually pretty successful in just having some leakage and avoid the full blown sobs.....