the cleveland bookmouse

fare thee well

2009-06-09T09:19:00.003-05:00

after months of being moribund I've finally accepted the realization that trying to maintain the 4 blogs (and be a contributor on another) is just too much for this little mouse. as of today the bookmouse is officially closed.

I began this blog with the intention for it to be a site for my bookgroup - but since I'm the only blogger of the bunch, my hopes for where it would go never went. a while back I repackaged the original blog (which I think was called the cleveland bookwomen), renaming the blog the cleveland bookmouse. but with only 37 posts in over two years I realize this is a blog that should probably be shut down.

for months I've resisted shutting down the bookmouse, liking its disappearance to the disappearance of those beloved independent bookstores or the little mom & pop shops being gobbled up by bigger shops. but these are false analogies. the fact is 4 blogs are probably two blogs too many.

I won't zap the contents of the blog (at least not for now) - there probably are two or three interesting bits here, but I won't continue to feel guilty that I'm not tending to this site.

I don't expect I will ever stop blogging (periodically) about books, but since I rarely did it here but rather did it here, I might as well be honest and not clutter up the blogosphere with another blog that sees no action. hope to see you around mouse medicine, perhaps I will resurrect a book mouse feature on the mm's sidebar!

theme day - toys

2009-02-26T09:47:00.008-05:00

have you noticed how many books these days have toy tie-ins? I confess I have fallen victim to purchasing more than a few stuffed toys over the years that represent a character from a favorite children's book. all of the time these toys are purchased to give to kids as gifts. however, at least once, one of these stuffed characters has decided to remain living amongst the books and toys at my house.

I refer to the stuffed wild thing puppet from sendak's where the wild things are. once he came into my home, he didn't want to leave! I'm sure it's because he likes hanging out discussing the state of the world and books with kermit.

I love the mouse guard books and I'm quite proud of my self-restraint in terms of purchasing the adorable action figures which accompany the series. I know myself all too well and Iknow if I did buy them to give as gifts, they probably may never make it out of the house.

I do have a weakness for brave mice.

if you aren't familiar with david petersen's mouse guard books, do yourself a favor and check out his website.

the mouse guard books join a rich literary tradition of brave, interesting mice. of course everyone knows of e.b. white's 1945 classic stuart little. the love of stuart little has triggered all sorts of cultural phenomena - including a hit movie, with michael j. fox as the voice of stuart. I'm sure some of you are familiar with brian jacques wonderful redwall series. I don't know if there are any toy tie-in's to the redwall books, but given the fact that there is an animated canadian television series based on the books I expect there must be action figures or stuffed characters from the books.

perhaps my favorite group mice from children's literature are graham oakley's church mice. I wrote about my love of these books here. by the way, I'm still looking for the last book in the series, the church mice take a break. if any one knows how I can get a copy, please contact me! I would expect there might be a reward! I have never heard of any church mice toy tie-ins, and if anyone would know, I expect I would.

theme day: library

2009-02-19T10:00:00.002-05:00

The other day I started thinking what books have I read that feature libraries or libraries. I'm sure there have been a good deal but I could only remember adult reads where the centrality of the library has stuck with me over the years. One is Umberto Eco's fantastic historical mystery The Name of the Rose, it's been a really long time since I read this book, but I remember being swept away by it's labyrinthine plot which centers primarily on events in a labyrinthine medieval library. The book was later adapted to film - I recall liking the film but like most adaptions of books to film it was not nearly as compelling as the book. The film could have actually sucked, but I would have liked it anyway as it starred Sean Connery, and I've always had a soft spot for Sir Sean. I'm sure this has to do with having watched this as a wee lass.

Another adult book that has stuck with me over the course of many, many years is Gillian Bradshaw's The Beacon of Alexandria. Ironically (or coincidentally) I read this book around the same time I read The Name of the Rose - obviously in the mid to late 1980s I was into historical fiction concerning libraries. I'm sure I've read other (adult) books that have highlighted libraries and librarians, but at the moment only these two come to mind.

There is a relatively new book that is out about a cat that lived in an Iowa library for many years. Apparently the cat transforms and saves the town and the library. The book is Dewey: The Small Town Library Cat it was written by Vicky Myron. I remember hearing an interview on NPR with Myron, who is the librarian who discovered Dewey in the book drop one cold winter day. The story is fascinating and sounds really heart-warming, one of these days I will have to see if there's a copy at the library available.

Does anyone know other (adult) books set in libraries or that feature librarians?

There are quite a few books for children that feature libraries and librarians. On Tuesday I ran across The Boy Who Was Raised by Librarians written by Carla Morris and illustrated by Brad Sneed (is Brad any relation to Merle??).

This book is a charming story about a curious boy named Melvin who spends a great deal of time at his public library and Melvin's relationship with Marge, Betty, and Leeola, who are three of the coolest, most helpful librarians one would ever hope to run across. The book is a beautiful tribute to librarians.

Another delightful children's book which takes place in a library is Library Mouse by Daniel Kirk. The hero of this book is Sam, very intelligent and gifted mouse who happens to live in hole behind a wall in the children's department of a public library. Sam is the epitome of a bookmouse and spends all his waking hours reading the books in the library. One day Sam gets the idea that perhaps along with reading books he should try and write and illustrate a book about about his life. And one night does just that and writes his memoir Squeak! Although Sam doesn't intend to write for anyone but himself, one day a child discovers Sam's book - and after this happens.... well, you'll have to find a copy of the Library Mouse yourself and see how it ends.

theme thursday: statue

2009-02-05T18:07:00.001-05:00

today the blogosphere is celebrating statues on theme thursday. unfortunately, I've been neglecting the cleveland bookmouse and perhaps I should try and remedy that.

I have a few photos of statues of famous authors in my photo archive, unfortunately I didn't think of this until late this afternoon. this is the only one I could quickly find!

this statue of oscar wilde was snapped in a park in dublin. I few years ago I read a very entertaining mystery by walter satterthwait called wilde west. here's a blurb from publishers weekly:

In this perfect blend of mystery, satire and travelogue, Satterthwait ( At Ease with the Dead ) follows Oscar Wilde in his 1882 lecture tour through the American West. Wilde greatly amuses his audiences and Elizabeth McCourt Doe in particular, initiating a torrid (and to the reader, surprising) affair with her. Meanwhile U.S. marshal Bob Grigsby connects a series of murders and eviscerations of prostitutes to the cities where Wilde has delivered his disquisitions and accuses the writer of the crimes. Wilde steers the hard-drinking marshal to the other members of his tour, including an alcoholic reporter, a slick-talking business manager, a sophisticated countess, a frail valet, a retired Prussian officer and even gunslinger John "Doc" Holliday, who has been following the tour. Wilde and Elizabeth narowly escape being killed by cowboys to whom Wilde's wit is no laughing matter, but the identity of the serial killer is not revealed until the harrowing resolution. One more surprise waits in the wings, and its delivery is just as smooth as those that the playwright himself once put to paper.

after I read this book I checked out of the library another book by satterthwait and read it - that book was called escapade - the book was another historical mystery, this time featuring harry houdini and sir arthur conan doyle. it was a stitch. I don't know if satterthwait has written anything else - well I guess he has since the blurb above mentions a book I'm unfamiliar with...I'll have to do a search, I hadn't thought of him in a while - my memory was jogged by thinking of oscar. speaking of oscar wilde, if you are ever in paris, make sure you check out his grave.....like wilde, it is a wild experience - I written about it a couple times on the mouse - you can go here and here.

louie, louie

2008-12-11T11:07:00.003-05:00

last night the bookwomen were joined carolyn's new pup louie. louie is a wheaten terrier, a breed which originated in ireland. I didn't have a chance to ask about louie's story before he joined carolyn's family, since he's just about a year old I expect he has one.

louie is very, very soft and very, very friendly.

last night's book was Climbing the Mango Trees: A Memoir of a Childhood in India by Madhur Jaffrey. perhaps louie is trying to tell us that he is salivating thinking about the tasty treats that our host prepared.

in order to restrain louie from said tasty treats, carolyn has louie secured in a loving leg lock.

incidentally, everyone in the group enjoyed jaffrey's memoir. we were disappointed to learn from carolyn, our discussion leader, that jaffrey has no intentions of writing a sequel. jaffrey was born in 1933 and this book covers the first eighteen years of her life. these were important years in the history of modern day india. although the book is primarily a personal memoir about family and food, jaffrey personal story overlaps with topics such as the relationships between hindus, muslins, and christians in india, the caste system, arranged marriage, the nonviolence movement of mohandas gandhi, india's involvement in wwII india's independence from britian in 1947 - resulting in the partition of india, and so on.

the book is a quick read and very enjoyable. the final section of the book includes family recipes from jaffrey's most delicious childhood!

theme day: leaves

2008-11-13T17:23:00.003-05:00

Dead Leaves

When these dead leaves were green, love,
November's skies were blue,
And summer came with lips aflame,
The gentle spring to woo;
And to us, wandering hand in hand,
Life was a fairy scene,
That golden morning in the woods
When these dead leaves were green!

How dream-like now that dewy morn,
Sweet with the wattle's flowers,
When love, love, love was all our theme,
And youth and hope were ours!
Two happier hearts in all the land
There were not then, I ween,
Than those young lovers' -- yours and mine --
When these dead leaves were green.

How gaily did you pluck these leaves
From the acacia's bough,
To mark the lyric we had read --
I can repeat it now!
While came the words, like music sweet,
Your smiling lips between --
"So fold my love within your heart,"
When these dead leaves were green!

How many springs have passed since then?
Ah, wherefore should we count,
The years that sped, like waters fled
From Time's unstaying fount?
We've had our share of happiness,
Our share of care have seen;
But love alone has never flown
Since these dead leaves were green.

Your heart is kind and loving still,
Your face to me as fair,
As when, that morn, the sunshine played
Amid your golden hair.
So, dearest, sweethearts still we'll be,
As we have ever been,
And keep our love as fresh and true
As when these leaves were green.

Edward Booth Loughran

theme day: windows

2008-09-18T07:30:00.006-05:00

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Dylan Thomas (1914 - 1953) Welsh poet

The human soul has still greater need of the ideal than of the real. It is by the real that we exist; it is by the ideal that we live.

Victor Hugo (1802 -1885) writer and human rights activist

photos: top tea shop and bookstore at the Dylan Thomas museum in Swansea, Wales; Maison Victor Hugo - 6, Place des Vosges - Paris

key to the next year of reading

2008-09-11T20:32:00.010-05:00

on september 10th 2008 my bookgroup gathered for our annual book selection potluck. one long time member remarked that she recently realized that the group has existed for 20 years! wow- now there's a cause for celebration. I expect there are few book groups that have marked their 20th anniversary.

over the years, the reading group has experienced many changes - even though several of the founding women remain active in the group, as time passes and life goes on, bookwomen have come and bookwomen have gone - but the passion for reading, discussion and sisterhood remains.

as is custom, the september potluck extravaganza was held at jeanne's lovely home. as always the food and wine made spirits soar and fueled a lively discussion of the selection of the books for the upcoming year of reading. in august the group selected food as the theme so everyone came to dinner with piles of books to consider. it was a difficult process, who knew there were so many good books out there where food is a major character? we ended up with a lovely, eclectic array of books and a nice mix of fiction and non-fiction.

the monthly meetings center around a focused discussion of the featured book, however, the host for the monthly meeting also creates a table of treats to stimulate both the senses and the discussion. since our books in this upcoming year center around food I can't wait to see what treats will be in store!

the key for the year of reading is as follows:

october 8 Aphrodite: A Memoir of the Senses by Isabel Allende host lillian

november 12 Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlien host melody

december 10 Climbing the Mango Trees: A Memoir of a Childhood in India by Madhur Jaffrey host carolyn

january 14 Soul of a Chef: The Journey Towards Perfection by Michael Ruhlman host freddy

february 11 The Madonnas of Leningrad by Debra Dean host mariel

march 11 A History of the World in 6 Glasses by Tom Standage host kim

april 8 Pomegranate Soup by Marsha Mehran host susan

may 13 The Tenth Muse: My Life in Food by Judith Jones host marjorie

june 10 Too Many Cooks by Rex Stout host georgeann

july 8 The Passionate Epicure: La Vie et la Passion de Dodin-Bouffant, Gourmet by Marchel Rouff host anne

august 12 Animal, Vegetable, Mineral: A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver host jane

theme day: wing

2008-08-21T15:05:00.007-05:00

When books are opened you discover that you have wings.

Helen Hayes (1900-1993), american stage and film actor

be a high flyer read a book!! when you are thinking about buying books think seriously about supporting your local independent bookseller!!

in the cleveland area we still have a few independent bookstores. high on my list is the crooked river reading club the only independent bookshop in downtown cleveland. the proprietor gail is a very knowledgeable, friendly, and community oriented bookseller. I always enjoy chatting with her and always walk away with feeling happier and feeling as if I've learned something that will enhance my life! gail is most happy to help you find just the right book and will happily place a special order when she doesn't have the book you desire in stock. although I'm trying hard to use the library instead of buying books for my own reading pleasure, when I give gifts, I still prefer to give a book - when you give a book you give someone the gift of flight!

crooked river reading club is located in the galleria at erieview at 1301 E 9th St. click here to find your way.

a relatively new independent bookstore in cleveland is visible voice books located at 1023 kenilworth avenue in the tremont neighborhood of cleveland. visible voice sponsored this year's bloomsday event and it was the first time I visited the bookstore. I wish it was in my neighborhood, I'd be in all the time - for is is way, way more than simply a bookstore. check out the link and see all the happening stuff happening at visible voice! to find your way there click here

since I just got back for a few days in nyc, I thought I'd mention another wonderful indy bookshop we stumbled on in the park slope neighborhood of brooklyn. unnameable books featuring both new and used books. it's located at 456 bergen street, between 5th and flatbush

theme day: home

2008-07-17T12:42:00.004-05:00

Home: A Collaboration of Thirty Authors & Illustrators

1992 Reading Rainbow Books.

"Thirty authors and illustrators contribute original stories, poems, and artwork that explore and illuminate the theme of belonging, be it to a physical place or a family group. Thought-provoking and...first-rate. Their beautiful words and magnificent art affirm the importance--and joy--of having a place of one's own. "

Notable 1992 Children's Trade Books in Social Studies (NCSS/CBC)

A House is a House for Me

1978, Viking.

Verse by Mary Anne Hoberman
Illustrated by Betty Fraser.

In lilting, rhythmic verse, this modern classic describes all kinds of houses - some familiar, some surprising - but at the same time does much more. Filled with hundreds of meticulously drawn everyday objects presented in delightfully unexpected ways, the book itself is a house for the reader's imagination. Winner of a National Book Award, it was the first collaboration between Hoberman and Fraser.

"A brisk, even headlong rhyme plunges us into a swirling cluster of images… an overwhelming profusion of examples of houses. It is an astonishing book, one of the best of the year." The New York Times

"Here is a wonderfully rhythmic tale with repetitive lines that kids will be singing along with as the story goes on. The fun of the many hiding, snuggling, pretending places kids dream up is captured in this book." Best Books, Redbook Magazine

theme day: birthday

2008-07-10T12:54:00.003-05:00

best birthday book ever! gary goldschneider, joost elffers' the secret language of birthdays.

each day of the year has two pages (and I'm talking big pages for it's a big book) devoted to the secrets that lie in store in understanding what it 'means' to be born on a certain day.

each day has it's own personal 'theme' for instance I was born on a day with the theme of 'the day of controlled movement,' the book also provides a list of famous (and infamous) people who were also born on your day - my birthday twins include the likes of: herber marcuse, etienne-marcel decroux, edgar degas, george mcgovern, lizzie borden, samuel colt, natalya bessmertnova, illie nastase, and evio!

there are special health considerations for people who are 'born on that day' - my health advice states that people born on my birthday "should take special care of their arms and legs...." kind of freaky considering the third paragraph of this.

there's also some very good advice. my special advice is: "Though you must bring your emotions under control, never lose your spontaneity and insist on freedom for yourself. Don't worry about appearing niave; be more forthright. Beware of putting others on a pedestal or investing them with your own emotions." wow, more freaky-ness!

but my favorite is my personal (well my and everyone that shares the day) meditation:

Most of what we need is quite close at hand.

I'll share this meditation with all of you, if you'd like!

theme day: shoes!

2008-07-03T07:30:00.002-05:00

You know the old woman
who lived in a shoe?
And had so many children
she didn't know what to do?

I think if she lived
in a little shoe-house--
That little old woman
was surely a mouse!

Beatrix Potter (1866-1943)
from Apple Dapply's Nursery Rhymes

the theme for this week is shoes!

I recently ran across mention of an interesting sounding coffee table book entitled shoes: a history from sandals to sneakers the book was written by giorgio riello and was published in 2006.

gentle bridges

2008-06-12T09:37:00.005-05:00

"What is the essence of the mind? Could computers ever have consciousness? Can compassion be learned? When does consciousness enter the human embryo? These are just some of the many questions that were discussed during a historic meeting that took place between several prominent Western scientists and the Dalai Lama. Gentle Bridges is a chronicle of this extraordinary exchange of ideas." (from product description)

the dalai lama has always been most interested in building bridges between the insights of buddhist philosophical thinking and scientific endeavors and theory. I've read that every year his holiness invites groups of scientists to his home in dharamsala to discuss their work and how buddhism might contribute to it.

there are many books out that explore the intersection of buddhism and science. in addition to Gentle Bridges the bookmouse has found these interesting sounding books:

The Universe in a Single Atom by Dalai Lama
Contemplative Science: Where Buddhism and Neuroscience Converge by B. Alan Wallace
The Joy Of Living: Unlocking the Secret and Science of Happiness by Eric Swanson, Rinpoche Yongey Mingyur, Yongey Mingyur, Daniel (FRW) Goleman

mouse guard

2008-06-05T09:45:00.005-05:00

how fitting that the book currently needing archiving sports orange cover art.

the bookmouse joins other bloggers who are celebrating the color orange today.

the book mouse guard fall 1152 was published in 2007 (and the paperback came out in 2008) it contains six issues of david petersen's captivating series. in david's world brave mice battle forces, conditions and predators that create a constant state of code orange!

apparently there are mouse guard action figures, good thing I don't have a problem taking care of my inner child!

p.s. the color of the bookmouse will return to a non-orange state soon.....

a trip to the library: ithaca new york

2008-06-04T09:45:00.003-05:00

last week while on a wander I checked out the tomkins county public library in ithaca new york where blogging bud salty jill likes to hang.

it's a very nice library. airy and spacious and based on all the folks inside during a gorgeous summertime afternoon, quite popular with the locals!

I've long been a fan of artists who interpret the peaceable kingdom story (most notably quaker artist edward hicks) and was most impressed with the art quilt hanging in the children's department by alice gant.

lakewood library II

2008-05-23T16:20:00.002-05:00

here's a glance at the rest of the newly renovated lakewood public library. I really commend the designers on their choice of colors and comfort of the furnishings.

nowadays libraries are so much more than just a place to check out books!

the public computer room has 60 new computers - all with internet access!! plus additional computers in the adjacent classroom. the librarian in the computer department did mention that the computer in the children's department (see last post) are not hooked up to the internet (wise move).

the audiovisual department is shaping up to be enormous!

good job lakewood!

lakewood library

2008-05-21T06:41:00.003-05:00

for the last year the main lakewood public library has been in the midst of a major expansion. construction is finally finished, for all intents and purposes everyone and everything is moved back in and it's back to business as usual. the official grand opening ceremony is scheduled for june 1.

one of the jewels of the newly renovated library is the children's department. an integral part of the children's department is the 'librainium' - a 2,000 square foot 'organic learning center with reading readiness activities for children from infancy to age five.

today's slide show focuses on the children's department. I expect other pictures to come of other sections of newly renovated library.

the main lakewood public library is located at 15425 Detroit Avenue
hours are monday-saturday: 9 am - 9 pm and sunday 1 pm - 9 pm

the madison branch is located at 13229 Madison Avenue
hours: 9-9 m-f, 9-6 saturday, 1-5 sunday

cleveland public library

2008-05-13T15:36:00.005-05:00

a few random pictures from the cleveland main library. cleveland's main library is located at 325 superior avenue, between e. 3rd and e. 6th streets. when I first moved to cleveland someone told me that cleveland has the second or third largest library system in the united states and for years I made the same claim. unfortunately this is not true! perhaps it's ranked as the second or third in something other than size, but it is not the second or third largest library in the u.s..

according to the american library association it's not even in the top 10, or top 20; in fact it is ranked as the 44th largest library. however, if we subtract academic libraries and only consider public libraries, the cleveland public library is the 12th largest library. in terms of population size, cleveland has dropped considerably over the last century, cleveland is now #39 in terms of city size (compared to being #5 in 1920; #7 in 1950; and #23 in 1990) .

regardless of size the cleveland public library system is great as are the other libraries in the greater cleveland area. according to hennen's latest rating of america's public libraries, the cuyahoga county public library system is the #1 rated public library system in the largest city category (over 500,00) and lakewood public library is #1 in the category for cities with a population between 50,000 - 99,999.

speaking of the lakewood library, it has recently completed a major expansion. I'll be showcasing the newly expanded and renovated lakewood library soon!

for the love of libraries

2008-05-08T09:28:00.010-05:00

yesterday ched commented a recommendation that I ought to post pictures of the inside and outside of cleveland's main public library. I think this is a terrific idea.

however, why limit myself to the main library or even to cleveland. I love libraries and when I have my camera (which yes, is most of the time) I sometimes snap a picture of some image that strikes my fancy while visiting a library.

recently I was in metro dc. while I was down there I visited the main regional library for fairfax virginia. for the last several years I've been trying to locate a high school friend named jenny. we lost touch with each other in the mid 1980s, during the time my family of creation moved from new haven to hartford and jenny moved from new york to somewhere else (in retrospect, I remember she was going to return to virginia and stay with her folks until she found a new job - I remember she left new york for a myriad of reasons, the least being she didn't really enjoy her job) - any how long story short, I never had a new address for her nor did she have mine. and life happens.

all previous attempts to find jenny via googling her name produced nada. I couldn't remember her father or mother's first names and their last name is incredibly common.... think smith or jones. one has the added problem with women changing their name when then get married.

this time when I was visiting my folks, I realized that if I could find her parents (or even a sibling - whose names I also couldn't remember) I could probably find jenny. I figured the best way to do that was to go back to the 1973 phone directory (the year we graduated from h.s. and the year I was certain that her parents lived in the house I knew). I remembered the name of the street she lived on. first task was to find out if her folks were still alive. not only are her folks still alive, they were still living in the same house! I would have saved myself a lot of time had I just gone from the 1973 phone directory to the 2007/8 phone directory - but some how I had it in my head that they moved (in retrospect I realize that I mixed up the story of jenny's parents with the story of another high school friend's parents - karen's folks did move).

I called the number, spoke to jenny's dad. he didn't remember me but her mother did - but only from our days in high school and nothing of my life afterwards - so I expect jenny's mom didn't really have fond memories of me - in high school, I admit I was a bit of a wild child; some would say still am. jenny did marry and she did change her name. she is living about thirty minutes from where we used to live in northern virginia. her new a community is a bit further out from washington d.c., but still in the metro d.c. area.

I have jenny's number and now I all I have to do is call. people can change a great deal in twenty-some years but then again, we also are what we always have been..... I feel good now that I have jenny's phone number. one of these days when I have some time, I might just give her a ring and see what she's been up to these last twenty-two years!

photos: interior shot of the city of fairfax regional library. 1973 phone directory

what I've been reading

2008-04-29T12:34:00.008-05:00

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.....

a wonderful place to visit!

2008-04-23T07:11:00.004-05:00

april is national poetry month, so the mouse decided to highlight just a few of the many books for kids celebrating verse.

the first book I posted on mouse medicine for pinkys, pups, and kittens is a visit to william blake's inn by nancy willard and illustrated by alice and martin provensen. this wonderful book introduces children to the poetry and magic of william blake by taking the reader to an imaginary inn populated by a most amazing collection of individuals.

nancy willard was inspired by william blake’s songs of innocence and songs of experience. in 1982 this book won the newbery medal for children's literature and was a caldecott honor book.

she's worth a lot more than a dollar!

2008-03-17T15:39:00.003-05:00

the following description is from the craig orback website:

Susan B. Anthony: Fighter For Freedom and Equality
Written by Suzanne Slade, Published by Picture Window Books

When Susan B. Anthony was born not all Americans had the same freedoms. Find out how she fought to win equal rights for all women and men.

Susan B. Anthony Fighter for Freedom and Equality is one of only 32 books to be selected for the 2008 Amelia Bloomer Project list of recommended feminist literature for young readers. The award is sponsored by the Feminist Task Force of the Social Responsibilities Round Table of the American Library Association.

february titles for pups & kittens

2008-03-04T09:14:00.006-05:00

I've fallen a bit behind archiving the mouse's books. here are some titles for kids that I know I missed transferring over to the bookmouse.

when harriet met sojourner (2007) by catherine clinton, illustrated by shane w. evans

one day in 1864, the lives of harriet and sojourner converged. this beautifully rendered book is a portrait of these two remarkable women and their pivotal and powerful place in the history of america.

this land is your land ( 1998 ) words by woody guthrie, illustrated by kathy jakobsen, written tribute by pete seeger

read more about this wonderful book here

year of the rat

2008-02-13T14:03:00.004-05:00

for those who are interested in celebrating the year of the rat by getting a little more familiar with the natural history of brother rat, the bookmouse recommends two. the first book is for the 'mature' reader, rats: observations on the history and habitat of the city's most unwanted inhabitants by robert sullivan (2004) has the uncanny ability to create both respect and repulsion.

the second book, oh rats! (2006) by albert marrin is aimed at younger readers (grades 3-6), but truth be told anyone interested in the subject will be pleased. unlike sullivan's book, this book is wonderfully illustrated by c.d. mordan (major disappointment with sullivan's book - NO PICTURES!) the collection of interesting facts and the incredible history about the rat will is simply amazing. will some cultures venerate the rat, others try and eradicate the rat. but friend or foe, the rat does deserves attention!

stitching stories

2008-02-04T17:20:00.000-05:00

in my book, faith ringgold is an artist and author extraordinaire. if you are unfamiliar with her books for children the this is the perfect time to get to know her and read some of her stories to the children in your village.

given that february is black history month I recommend dinner at aunt connie's house and aunt harriet's underground railroad in the sky. along with introducing readers to a pantheon of famous african-american women these books bring a bit of magical realism into the world of children's literature.

I first got to know faith during the 1980s through her art quilts only later did I discover that she is also author of some of fabulous children's books. faith's quilts are unique and inspiring, in her quilts she combines painting, traditional quilt techniques and storytellling. within the african-american community narrative quilts have a long and powerful history. this month there's a new play which is opening at the cleveland playhouse on the quilters of gee's bend. the story of the women of gee's bend is yet another tale both unique and inspiring - I can't wait to check out the play.

cassie's word quilt (2002) art and words by faith ringgold.

to learn more about faith ringgold visit her at her website - click here!

purrrrrfect

2008-01-23T22:48:00.000-05:00

cat power (2007) by daniel kirk - new book by the author of the marvelous the library mouse

I was hunting for a copy of the library mouse to give as a gift but no mouse was to be found instead another delightful book (albeit very, very different) by the same author. a wonderful read aloud book - the book actually comes with a cd where the poems/songs are set to music.

the poem/song hunter

I am a hunter
my senses are keen
Rats find me frightening
birds say I am mean

I'm sharp eyed, lighting clawed,
wealthy in stealth
mice declare I'm no good for their health

To wait by the bushes
to stake out a nest,
to hunt is my nature
it's what I do best!

It's my purpose, my fate, my joy and my habit
to sneak up on my prey
and then
simply
NAB IT!

the careful use of compliments

2008-01-16T23:51:00.000-05:00

the careful use of compliments is the fourth book in alexander mccall smith's delightful series featuring philosopher-sleuth isabel dalhousie. set in edinburgh this engaging series draws the reader in to isabel's world which is filled with charm, coffee, wordplay, art, music and a bit of mystery.

if you are needing a little armchair travel to the streets of edinburgh check out this wonderful series - but make sure you start with the first book - the sunday philosophy club. I am totally hooked and prodigious as he is mr. mccall smith can not write fast enough to suit my fancy! he has another series which is also set in edinburgh which he calls the 44 scotland street collection. I'm hoping one day the two series will cross paths. both series are populated with the most delightful characters.

the isabel dalhousie series:
1) the sunday philosophy club
2) friends, lovers, chocolate
3) the right attitude to rain
4) the careful use of compliments
bookmouse rating:

a game of cat and mouse

2008-01-16T23:34:00.000-05:00

an absolutely purrrfect tale of a mouse that outfoxes the most pretentious and pompous mr. maxwell, a cat whose arrogance sets a new gold standard! written in 2004 by frank asch and illustrated by his son devin asch.

I first heard about this book in december of 2006 when npr's scott simon interviewed daniel pinkwater for his recommendation of that year's best holiday books for kids. I originally ordered the book to give as a gift, but when it arrived and I read the story (and was drawn in by it's wonderful gorey-ish drawings) I simply could not part with it. along with mr. maxwell's mouse, I ordered another book from mr. pinkwater's 2006 list, 365 penguins, I did regretfully part with this book and gave it to the intended child. however, should I stumble on a copy of 365 penguins for sale at some bookstore, I will buy it to add to the children's book library at avenue c.

farang out!

2008-01-04T16:12:00.000-05:00

do you enjoy books set in exotic locations?
does buddhism fascinate you?
are you interested in geopolitics?
do you find yourself craving to read a good mystery?

if you've answered yes to at least 2 of these questions then john burdett's bangkok mysteries are for you. set in thailand, this series centers primarily on the transcendent and earthly detecting skills on former buddhist monk, now bangkok p.d. detective sonchai jitpleecheep.

bangkok tattoo (2005) is number 2 in the series. but if you haven't met sonchai and the rest of the gang start with the first book entitled bangkok 8. the third of the series, bangkok haunts was released in 2007.

bookmouse rating:

holiday themed books for pups & kits

2007-12-27T17:17:00.001-05:00

cecil's new year eve tail(2007) by marie fritz perry. cecil is invited to a new year's eve ball and finds friendship and acceptance when he leasts expects it.

for christmas: wonderful adaptation of dickens classic featuring mice (of course!) by british writer toby forward and illustrated by ruth brown.

for eid (an ever moving muslin holiday) which just happened to have occurred earlier this month is a new book (2007) by ohio based physician-author asma mobin-uddin and illustrated by laura jacobsen. a beautiful story that transcends dogma and addresses the universal joy found by the simple act of giving to others.

a thanksgiving time I ran across this delightful book at the library's thanksgiving display in the children's section. it is a story of ann and ed who after burning their own thanksgiving dinner wander next door to the new world cafe thinking the restaurant is open for business as usual they soon find themselves in the midst of a very unique private holiday celebration. written and illustrated in 2003 by debby atwell the thanksgiving door tells about unexpected gifts that can come when cultures come together and what can happen when the hearts and doors are opened "big and wide."

convergence

2007-12-27T16:29:00.000-05:00

if you are looking for a rollicking good read check out special topics in calamity physics (2006) by marisha pessl. I don't know how I missed this book when it debuted last year as I'm sure it was on all sorts of 'best of lists.' blogging bud salty jill mentioned special topics a while back in one of her posts. whatever she said was enough to tweak my interest and send me off to the library to check it out. boy, am I glad I did. coincidentally the other day while I was on catching up with pam, a friend in nyc, we got to the usual 'so what are you reading now' question; and what do you know were both reading special topics. we thought that was pretty far out and I expect in itself may have been a special topic in calamity physics!

excerpt from liesl schillinger august 13 2006 nytimes review:

Like Alan Bennett’s delectable and brilliant play “The History Boys,” now on Broadway, “Special Topics in Calamity Physics” tells the story of a wise newcomer who joins a circle of students who orbit a charismatic teacher with a tragic secret. The newcomer, a motherless waif named Blue van Meer, spent most of her life driving between college towns with her genius poli-sci professor father, Gareth. To kill time on their drives, they discuss radical class warfare, riff on Homer and Steinbeck, recite movie dialogue and poems by Blake, Neruda and Shakespeare and read Hollywood biographies — from a tell-all by Louis B. Mayer’s maid to blow-by-blows on Howard Hughes and Cary Grant. Gareth is fond of making oracular statements, which his daughter laps up as if they were Churchill’s: “Everyone is responsible for the page-turning tempo of his or her Life Story,” he tells her. And, he cautions, “never try to change the narrative structure of someone else’s story.” Tightly swaddled in her daughter-dad duad, Blue does not know that her story is someone else’s. Only gradually does she learn that the frantic tempo of her life has been conducted by forces she does not suspect.

bookmouse rating:

2007-2008 year of reading

2007-09-13T07:04:00.000-05:00

October 10 The Awakening (1899) Kate Chopin
(Lillian)

November 14 My Antonia (1918) Willa Cather
(Rachel)

December 12 Appointment in Samarra (1934) &/or
(Marjorie) Butterfield 8 (1935) John O'Hara

January 9 The Town (1950) Conrad Richter
(Georgeann)

February House of Mirth (1905) Edith Wharton
(Carolyn)

March 12 Silent Spring (1962) Rachel Carson
(Freddie)

April 9 Fahrenheit 451 (1953) Ray Bradbury
(Susan & Kim)

May 14 The Good Earth (1931) Pearl Buck - updated january 2008!
(Mariel)

June 11 The Crucible (1952) Arthur Miller
(Andi & Anne)

July 9 Member of the Wedding (1946) Carson McCullers
(Jeanne)

August 13 The Company She Keeps (1942) Mary McCarthy
(Jane)

September 10 Annual Potluck Dinner & Book Selection
for '08-'09 Year of Reading
note: gathering commences at 6:30

bookwomen gather at 7:30 pm ~ discussion on the month's book begins promptly at 8:00 pm

a brief history

2007-02-24T08:47:00.000-05:00

It is unknown exactly when the first gathering of the Cleveland Bookwomen tribe took place ~ most believe it occurred in early 1989. Regardless of exactly when the Bookwomen gathered for the first time, several wisebookwomen have stated that the first book discussed was Beloved written by Toni Morrison.

Compared to other book groups the Cleveland Bookwomen is a very stable book group. The bonds of friendship are strong as are our 'guidelines.' Although no guidelines are written down, over the years, experience has created a set of de facto 'advice' on issues such as bringing in new members, the size of the group, and the time and day of the book discussion meetings.

A tradition of choosing books for the upcoming reading year was established. The selection gathering takes place in September with a potluck dinner. Some years the group decides on a theme before this meeting takes place - a theme may help narrow the possible books down, however, we have learned some themes can be tricky.

Books read over the years

1989-1990 Theme: Women writing in various genres
Chamber Music Doris Grumbach
Lives and Loves of a She-Devil Fay Weldon
Slouching Toward Bethlehem Joan Didion
What Fresh Hell is This Dorothy Parker
Illness as Metaphor Susan Sontag
Persuasion Jane Austin
Earth Sea Trilogy Ursula LeGuin
Children’s Hour Lillian Hellman
Slaves of New York Tama Janowitz
Song of the Lark Willa Cather
No Word from Winifred Amanda Cross

1990 - 1991 Theme: Third World Literature
Things Fall Apart C. Achebe
Waiting for the Barbarians J. Coetzee
Nervous Conditions T. Dangarembga
The Beginning and the End N. Mafouz
Storyteller M. Vargas-Lloa
House of the Spirits Isabell Allende
Death of Artenio Cruz Carlos Fuentes
Kiss of the Spider Woman Mario Puig
Lucy Jamaica Kincaid
Floating World Cynthia Kadahata
Bone People Keri Hulme

1991-1992
Half of Man is Woman Chang H-I
El Salvador, The Promised Land Steve & Beth Cagan
Disturbances in the Field Lynn Schwartz
The Snow Leopard Peter Matheson
Mists of Avalon Marion Zimmer Bradley
To the Lighthouse Virginia Woolf
Parting is All We Know of Heaven Molly Mohnahan
Leaven of Malic Robertson Davies
Age of Iron John Coetzee
Heart of a Woman & I Know Why a Caged Bird Sings Maya Angelou
Wuthering Heights Chalotte Bronte

1992-1993
Waterland Graham Swift
The Witching Hour Anne Rice
Howards End or Maurice EM Forester
Tell Me a Riddle Tillie Olsen
The Bean Trees Barbara Kingsolver
Composing a Life Mary Catherine Bateson
Backlash Susan Faludi
Cabin Fever Elizabeth Jolley
Possession AS Byatt
Woman Warrior Maxine Hong Kingston

1993-1994
Crossing to Safety Wallace Stegner
Killer Angels Michael Shaara
Bastard Out of Carolina Dorothy Alison
Your Blues Ain’t Like Mine Bebe Moore Campbell
Eleanor Roosevelt Blanche Weissen Cook
One Thousand Acres Jane Smiley
The English Patient Michael Ondaatje
The Game/The Waterfall AS Byatt
Like Water for Chocolate Laura Esquival
Age of Innocence Edith Wararton

1994-1995
Dreaming in Cuban Christina Garcia
Lottery and Other Stories Shirley Jackson
Dead Man Walking Sister Helen Prejean
Theory of War Joan Brady
Time and Again Jack Finney
Songlines or Utz Bruce Catwin
Life on the Mississippi Mark Twain
Billiards at Half Past Nine Heinrich Boll
Shipping News Annie Proulx
Wild Swans June Chung

1995-1996
A Personal Matter Kenzabura Oe
Smilla’s Sense of Snow Peter Hoag
Dracula Bram Stoker
Snow Falling on Cedars David Guterson
Train Go Sorry Leah Hager Cohen
Golden Apples Eudora Welty
The Wedding Dorothy West
Still Life AS Byatt
Practical Magic Alice Hoffman
Country of the Pointed Firs Sarah O. Jewett

1996-1997
Dakota Kathleen Norris
Confederacy of Dunces J. Kennedy Toole
Pere Goriot Honore Balzac
A Stone Boat Andrew Solomon
Emma Jane Austin
Summerhouse Alice Thomas Ellis
Tortilla Curtain T. C. Boyle
Moor’s Last Sigh Salaman Rushdie
Book of Ruth Jane Hamilton
Field Without Dreams Wictor D. Hanson
11 Million Mile High Dancer Carol Hill

1997-1998 Theme: more than 1 book by an author
Light in August William Faulkner
The Sound and The Fury William Faulkner
Absalom, Absolom William Faulkner
Hard Times Studs Terkel
Working Studs Terkel
Cheri and Gigi Colette
Vagabond Colette
100 Years of Solitude Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Love in the Time of Cholera Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven Sherman Alexie
Reservation Blues Sherman Alexie

1998-1999
Paradise Toni Morrison
Sparrow Mary Doria Russell
Regeneration Pat Barker
Before Women Had Wings Connie May Fowler
Reader’s choice -pick a book! Sherri Tepper
The Moon is Always Female Marge Pierce
Short Stories Flannery O’Conner
Eleanor of Acquitaine and the Four Kings Amy R. Kelly
Personal History Katharine Graham
Burgher’s Daughter Nadine Gordimer
The Road from Coorain Jill Ker Conway

1999-2000 Theme: Africa
Heart of Darkness Joseph Conrad
Poisonwood Bible Barbara Kingsolver
Maps Naruddin Farah
Cry the Beloved Country Alan Paton
Nisa Marjorie Shostak
Famished Road Ben Okri
Mister Johnson Joyce Cary
Yoruba Girl Danciing Simi Bedford
Joys of Motherhood Buchi Emechita
Travels in West Africa Mary Kingsley
King Leopold’s Ghost Adam Hochschild

2000-2001
A Free Man of Color Barbara Hambly
Girl with a Pearl Earring Tracy Chavalier
Tar Baby Toni Morrison
Ladies Auxiliary
Voyage of the Narwhale Andrea Barrett
Dessa Rose Sherley A.Williams
The Plague Tales Ann Benson
Henry and Clara Thomas Mallon
Zorba the Greek Nikos Kazantazakis
In the Name of Salome Julia Alvarez
The Hours Michael Cunningham

2001-2002 Two themes The Immigration Experience & Cutting Edge Writing. Some of the choices embrace both themes
White Teeth Zadie Smith
English Passengers Matthew Kneale
Child’s Play David Malouf
Bronx Primitive Kate Simon
Middle Passage Charles Johnson
Baumgartners Bombay Anita Desi
A Gesture Life Change Rea Lee
Rise the Euphrates Carol Edgarian
Bonesetter’s Daughter Amy Tan
Speaking with The Angel Nick Hornby (ed.)
The Rehearsal Sarah Willis

2002-2003 Theme: Things that move the human spirit
Tender at the Bone Ruth Reichl
Finding Fish Antone Quentin Fisher
Bel Canto Ann Patchett
Double feature:
Botany of Desire &
The Sweet Breathing of Plants Michael Pollen
Linda Hogan & Brenda Peterson
Slaves in the Family Edward Ball
The Trial Franz Kafka
The Same Sea Amos Oz
Parallel Lives: Five Victorian Marriages Phyllis Rose
The Passion of Artemesia Susan Vreeland
Double feature:
Nickled and Dimed & Stupid White Men Barbara Ehrenreich
Michael Moore
Prodigal Summer Barbara Kingsolver

2003-2004 Theme: War & Peace
Maus and Maus II Art Spiegelman
A World of Hurt Mary ReynoldsPowell
The Face of Battle John Keegan
Guns of August Barbara Tuchman
Cold Mountain Charles Frazier
Double Feature Peace Pilgrim Peace Pilgrim
You Can’t be Neutral on a Moving train Howard Zinn
And Quiet Flows the Don Mikhail Sholokhov
A Pale View of Hills K. Ishiguro
Obasan Joy Kogawa
Ceremony Leslie Marko Silko
Last of the Amazons Steve Pressfield

2004-2005 Theme: All things Canadian
The Fall of Rome Martha Southgate
Oryx & Crake Margaret Atwood
Farfarers: Before the Norse Farley Mowat
St Urbain’s Horsemen Mordecai Richler
The Englishman’s Boy Guy Vanderhague
Fishing with John Edith Iglauer
Lives of Girls & Women Alice Munro
Kiss of the Fur Queen Tomson Highway
Away Jane Urquhart
Unless Carol Shields
The Forest Lover Susan Vreeland

2005-2006 Theme: Mysteries
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Mark Haddon
Wolves Eat Dogs Martin Cruz Smith
The Maltese Falcon Dashiell Hammett
The Hot Kid Elmore Leonard
Witness for the Prosecution Agatha Christie
I Still Miss My Man but My Aim is Getting Better Sarah Shankman
Gaudy Night Dorothy Sayers
Broken English: An Ohio Amish Mystery P.L. Gaus
The Club Dumas Arturo Perez-Reverte
A Conspiracy of Paper David Liss
A Letter of Mary Laurie R King

2006-2007
Brick Lane Monica Ali
Kitchen Table Wisdom Rachel Naomi Remen
Seven Sisters Margaret Drabble
Germinal Emile Zola
In the Time of Butterflies Julia Alvarez
You Remind Me of Me Dan Chaon
Suite Français Irene Nemirovsky
The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down Ann Fadiman
The Hummingbird’s Daughter Luis Alberto Urrea
Caramelo Sandra Cisneros
Califia’s Daughter Leigh Richards