I am starting this true story without seeing the film yet. I liked the author‘s Lost City of Z.

Quite a chilling tale of a possible future dystopia from the viewpoint of a handmaid, Offred (belonging to Fred). Womens rights are greatly restricted and some men are in total control. I haven't seen the movie or the TV series but I have looked at the recent graphic novel. I recommend it for open-minded adults or older teens. Reminds me of 1984 a bit.

Starting this book that is often banned. I haven‘t seen any of the modern TV series but I know a little bit about it. Hope it never comes to be!

Pretty good story in a humorous quirky way. Kind of like his Alcatraz books. I did not like some of the humor though from the official “guide” Plot is good. Redemptive message.

Starting a new one by a local author. I have only read two of his before.

Not bad story of poor black boy in Harlem area who works through grief for his brother by building great lego structures. If not a movie yet, it could be.

I am starting Ike‘s war memoirs from 1946. I am into that era!

Very fascinating story of mankind‘s dealings with ice and how it became possible to manufacture it. With asides on ice cream, health uses, art, sports, and global warming, etc. Worthwhile!

Starting a YA novel that looks interesting.

Quite a good, but sad story, about how a drunken action can have long-term consequences. The main character is also self-destructive and proud, but does have some good qualities. There are deceptions or instances of bad luck that compound the sadness. The language is a bit hard to read, being old-fashioned, with classical allusions, but my copy had good footnotes that helped. Worthwhile if you are up for it!

Very well done speculation about Shakespeare‘s wife, Agnes, usually called Anne, and her life in Stratford as a herbalist. They lose their young boy, a twin, Hamnet, to Plague. His sister is Judith. His best play in London is an attempt to bring him back to life. A great book.

Started a book from the Public Library that looked very interesting.

Starting a classic I have wanted to read ever since I saw The Claim, a Western movie, based on it.

Detailed description of the disaster following quake and fire of April 18, 1906 in San Francisco. There were a lot of blowing up of buildings during the fire and shooting of civilians, but it did bring people together for a while no matter the differences of class or race.

I am reading another one about SF earthquake and fire for more details.

Good account but TMI if you just want 1906 SF events only. A lot on plate tectonics, new geology science, and details on the Richter Scale. A bigger quake is coming at any time!

Starting a novel about Shakespeare‘s son.

Good modern Western mystery with old secrets from a dead Basque woman and a conspiracy for money. I have seen a couple of episodes of the TV series and this would be a good one to see.

Starting a modern Western. Have seen some of the series.

Starting to read about great earthquake of 1906.

Compelling argument that we live in a society with a Caste system like India, or like with the Jews and others in the Third Reich. I sort of feel like after I had read “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee“ many years ago. There is a lot of history to overcome!

Long book with quite a variety of stories short and long. Some are better than others and some are a bit odd. Mostly really good. Many have a Southern locale and somewhat autobiographical. One is about Dachau camp and the last is in Jerusalem. Worthwhile.

Starting an important book which I've been meaning to read for a couple of years now.

Not bad story of a peasant boy caught up in a really different rebel movement and religion in 1850s China. More for adults I think but worthwhile.

I've started this YA novel about China, which I found at a Little Free Library.

Well written novel about waiting in Australia for the end of humanity after a nuclear war. The radiation is gradually moving South. It's good like usual for this author, but kind of depressing too! Be sure to see the old movie with Gregory Peck, if you get a chance.

Started a book from an author I like. I have seen the old movie a couple of times. He is from Australia.

Good book about poetry for kids and avoiding what turns them off to it. Lists poets but resources are outdated (cassette tapes etc.)

Started a book about Poetry for kids and youth etc

Not a bad mix of American word origins and popular culture, covering things like cars, baseball, fast food, etc. It is a a bit long-winded though, and would have been better with half the size, and less meandering. I read that some of his statements here have been found to be wrong, but it seemed mostly OK to me and it has a good list of sources that might be worthwhile looking into. Bryson is always somewhat fun to read.

Kind of odd and quirky but fun book about Jack during his vacation in the early sixties and his help for an older lady in the area. It is sort of about the author's own childhood to a degree.

Starting this book that was a freebie at a local library. Looks fun!

Good story of possibilities in life. Fun to read.

Starting a bestseller from a couple of years ago.

Starting a book about English as spoken in America with a lot of trivia thrown in.

Lively YA story of young girl who deals with a lot of troubles on a ship from England to the US in early 1800s I think. A good tale with a strong heroine. A little hard to believe though.

Started a YA book I haven‘t read before.

Good account of the Mormon Trail from out of Nauvoo in 1846 through the Handcart painfulness of 1857 and almost to the Railroad era. He does use some questionable sources but mostly it is well written and tries to be somewhat unbiased.

Started a book I have owned for a few years which will take a while!

I made it about a third of the way. Book is too boring and sarcastic but has some good trivia sprinkled in it.

Starting one of Stegner‘s histories I have never read. I mostly like his writing.

Exciting book. I was thinking Sheridan may have been very traumatized by what happened!

Started reading the very first Joe Pickett novel. I have read one other before.

Great biography, very sensitive and loving with good realistic details. Took time to read since it is a bit old fashioned in style and includes some French which is usually explained. Jean, his son, the film director, writes very well for its time period, the late ‘50s. Worthwhile if you are into Art and France. I loved the artist‘s lack of pretense!

Interesting book combining Ken Jenning‘s account of his winning streak on Jeopardy and a history of the popularity of trivia and people who like it and like competing about it. And I also like some of the same things that he does.

Starting a book I should have read years ago. Picked up at a Library sale. I am a less accomplished trivia lover than Ken. While I am just gradually getting through my other books, this will go MUCH faster

This book is taking a while but it‘s good. Here is a description of how Renoir “attacks” a painting.

Started a book about the German people. It is from a traveler and not really an expert but still interesting to me.

Very readable connected episodes among a cast of people starting with Mary Anne who is new to the area. Very typical of late 70s types and situations and is like eating potato chips. Hard to stop!

Found this at a thrift store and since it is in San Francisco …I‘m starting it.