Rick Steves Europe’s Top 100 Masterpieces: Art for the Traveler by Rick Steves & Gene Openshaw

Reviewed by Jeanne

Rick Steves is probably one of the best known travel guide writers around.  Part of his popularity can be traced to his mission to help travelers enjoy the culture of foreign climes: the local foods, music, shopping, and art.  In this volume he has made a list of the 100 top works of art in Europe, including paintings, sculpture, and architecture and explains a bit about each to heighten appreciation for each piece.

The book is divided up chronologically, starting with pre-history (Lascaux cave paintings, for example) then moving through ancient Greece and Rome to the Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque, 19^th Century and ending with the 20^th century. The full color photos are lovely, and the text is informative but informal.  I could practically hear Steves’ narration and indeed there’s a list of video clips by Steves about individual pieces that are available on his free Classroom Europe site.  These is also a handy map at the back showing where the pieces are located, since some are not held where they were created.  For example, the Greek Elgin marbles are in London as are some of Dutch artist Van Gogh’s paintings. 

While serious art students might find the descriptions to be a bit simplistic, I found them to be interesting and insightful, sprinkled with Steves’ light humor. I feel that Steves’ goal is to heighten appreciation for the works, make people take time to appreciate what they are seeing and to have fun with it.  For the “Mona Lisa,” he gives a bit of the painting’s history and includes the fact that Leonardo was using “new-fangled” paints and mentions that the portrait is one of the few art pieces one can locate by sound because of all the people sure to be clustered around it. The chatty tone and feel of inside information is like catnip, making me want to keep reading.  That portrait of Louis XVI? It’s designed to show off the elderly king’s athletic legs, as well as show him as anointed by God to be a ruler. His sartorial choices were copied throughout Europe, from the lacy cravat to the elaborate wig to the red heels on his shoes.

On a couple of my favorite pieces I felt Steves didn’t explain enough or else blurred some of the facts but like Elsa I decided to “let it go.”  Those were picky things in an otherwise very enjoyable book.  If I ever head out on a trip to Europe, I’ll be sure to check this book to see what art I don’t want to miss.

Nevermore: Driving Miss Norma, Cults, Truly Madly Guilty

Nevermore 8-12-25

Reported by Rita

 

Driving Miss Norma: One Family's Journey Saying "Yes" to Living by Tim Bauerschmidt, Ramie Liddle

When Miss Norma was diagnosed with uterine cancer, she was advised to undergo surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. But instead of confining herself to a hospital bed for what could be her last stay, Miss Norma—newly widowed after nearly seven decades of marriage—rose to her full height of five feet and told the doctor, “I’m ninety years old. I’m hitting the road.” And so Miss Norma took off on an unforgettable around-the-country journey in a thirty-six-foot motor home with her retired son Tim, his wife Ramie, and their dog Ringo.

A good book about end-of-life living: it was sweet and enjoyable. - CD 5 stars

 

Cults: Inside the World's Most Notorious Groups and Understanding the People Who Joined Them by Max Cutler

The founder of a popular podcast studio and a national best-seller join forces to describe what goes on inside the minds of cult leaders and also the mindset of their followers, from Manson to Applewhite and Koresh to Raël.

Filled with horrific details, but I couldn't stop reading. -NH 4 stars

 

Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty

A busy couple, formerly on the brink of realizing their dreams, reflects on a fortuitous gathering with their best friends and another couple, in a tale that explores the role of guilt in relationships and the power of everyday moments in family life.

A nice light beach read that I enjoyed. - VC 5 stars

 

Other Books Mentioned

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

A Pictorial History Bristol VA TN by Bristol Historical Association

The Nag Hammadi Scriptures by Marvin W. Meyer

Abandoned Southern Virginia: The South Begins by Liz Roll

Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas by Tom Robbins

Waiting for Tom Hanks by Kerry Winfrey

 

New Books:

The Place of Tides by James Rebanks

The Road That Made America: A Modern Pilgrim's Journey on the Great Wagon Road by James Dodson

Vera, or Faith by Gary Shteyngart

Typewriter Beach by Meg Waite Clayton

The View From Lake Como by Adriana Trigiani

The Blanket Cats by Kiyoshi Shigematsu

 

Reviewed by Jeanne

There’s a pet shop in Tokyo with seven unusual cats—the Blanket Cats.   Each cat has its own special security blanket, something familiar.  They need it because these cats are rented out to different customers for a three day periods, after which the cats are to be returned to the shop.  The customer has to agree to certain rules, such as only feeding the cat its specific food and keeping the cat and blanket together.  These are cats who have been chosen for their demeanor and calmness; most are purebred cats. 

The people who come to rent these cats come because their lives are in some way broken.  They come hoping that the company of a cat, even if it’s just for three days, will somehow make their lives better.

Sometimes they’re right.

Lately it seems that there’s been a proliferation of books by Asian authors, mostly Japanese, which have cats on the cover and feature stories about troubled people who come to a certain café or coffee shop or restaurant and have a life changing moment. Some have referred to this as “healing fiction,” since most of these people have a revelation or encounter that changes their lives for the better.  Blanket Cats is in many ways a more realistic take on these situations. People do not miraculously change their hearts or make peace with an enemy, but they do see their problems in different ways. For some, there is a glimmer of hope; for other may find the courage to face a problem-- or else become resigned.

These may not be “feel good” stories found in other collections but they do feel more true to life, and as a result feel darker to me. They avoid sentimentality, which can be a good or a bad thing, depending on your preferences, but they are also wonderfully crafted, complex tales that leave a reader wondering what happened next.  The translation seems very smooth, not as choppy as some can be, which certainly added to my enjoyment.

Short story fans will find a lot to like in this book as will cat lovers.

The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong

 

Reviewed by Jeanne

Tao is a travelling fortune teller, but will only tell “small fortunes,”minor things that do make a difference but aren’t life-changing--usually. Not only do major predictions take a lot out of her, but they also draw unwanted attention.  Tao needs to keep a low profile, and that’s already difficult since she is a Shinn woman in Esthera. Then a small prediction has greater consequences than she expects, and she ends up with not one but two travelling companions:  a mercenary and thief (possibly reformed), who are not going to give up until her prediction comes true. . . if it does.

This was my choice for the “debut novel” for Book Bingo, though it could have gone for “judging a book by its cover” for that enticing drawing of a woman with a cat sitting on the steps of a brightly colored wagon under the stars. The cover is an accurate one, because this is a charming tale indeed.  I liked all the characters.  Tao is a brave and determined young woman who is trying to make her way in the world but is forced to keep a low profile or risk being commandeered into the Guild. Mash, the soldier is seeking his young daughter who was lost, probably kidnapped by raiders while his companion Silt is just along for the ride.  And possibly to lift a few valuables.  Reforming is a process, not something one can do cold turkey. They are soon joined by Leah, the baker’s apprentice, whose baked goods taste marginally better than they look.

While I can’t say that this book broke new ground, it is a fun and cozy fantasy full of adventure, characters we enjoy rooting for, a dash of romance, and family.  Tao has more than a few secrets of her own, and there’s a whole backstory to gradually unravel.  Leong has some points to make and she does so elegantly and without fanfare. There’s humor and heart in this book, and I’d be ready to join in on another adventure should one be in the offing.  

And yes, there is really a cat with a role to play!

Nevermore: The Lost Boy, Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Ordeal by Hunger

 

Reported by Rita

Nevermore 8-5-25

The Lost Boy by Thomas Wolfe
A captivating and poignant retelling of an episode from Wolfe's childhood. The story of Wolfe's brother Grover and his trip to the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair is told from four perspectives, each articulating the sentiments of a different family member.

A real page-turner. This immersive novella puts the reader inside the story. - PP 4 stars

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now?

I enjoyed this book. It was interesting and enjoyable. - NH 5 stars


Ordeal by Hunger: The Story of the Donner Party by George R. Stewart
The tragedy of the Donner Party constitutes one of the most amazing stories of the American West. In 1846, eighty-seven people — men, women, and children — set out for California, persuaded to attempt a new overland route. After struggling across the desert, losing many oxen, and nearly dying of thirst, they reached the very summit of the Sierras, only to be trapped by blinding snow and bitter storms. Many perished; some survived by resorting to cannibalism; all were subjected to unbearable suffering. Incorporating the diaries of the survivors and other contemporary documents, George R. Stewart wrote the definitive history of that ill-fated band of pioneers. Ordeal by The Story of the Donner Party is an astonishing account of what human beings may endure and achieve in the final press of circumstance.

It is a very matter-of-fact telling of the Donner Party. I liked it. - FE 5 stars



Other Books Mentioned

The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende
The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club by Martha Hall Kelly
Cats in Art: From Prehistoric to Neo-Pop Masterpieces by Alix Paré
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
A Marriage at Sea: A True Story of Love, Obsession, and Shipwreck by Sophie Elmhirst
The Grandes Dames by Stephen Birmingham
The Swiss Family Robinson / Robinson Crusoe by Johann David Wyss
Chasing the Dime (Harry Bosch Universe, #12) by Michael Connelly
Abandoned Southern Virginia: The South Begins by Liz Roll
The Women by Kristin Hannah
In the Distance by Hernan Diaz
The Penguin Lessons by Tom Michell
The Pirate's Wife: The Remarkable True Story of Sarah Kidd by Daphne Palmer Geanacopoulos
Murderland: Crime and Bloodlust in the Time of Serial Killers by Caroline Fraser
Signal to Noise by Silvia Moreno-Garcia



New Books:

The Book Censor's Library by Bothayna Al-Essa
The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Cults: Inside the World's Most Notorious Groups and Understanding the People Who Joined Them by Max Cutler
The Aviator and the Showman: Amelia Earhart, George Putnam, and the Marriage that Made an American Icon by Laurie Gwen Shapiro
Nature of the Appalachian Trail: Your Guide to Wildlife, Plants, and Geology by Leonard M. Adkins
Absolution (Southern Reach, #4) by Jeff VanderMeer
House of Frost and Feathers by Lauren Wiesebron
The Homemade God by Rachel Joyce

Come Fix You A Plate: Food you’ll actually cook from Your Barefoot Neighbor by Matthew Bounds

 Reviewed by Kristin 

I love a good cookbook, even if I don’t cook as much as I once did. This is one of those indulgent books that tells you how to cook good food, and involves ingredients like “1 stick of butter” or “1 block of cream cheese”. I immediately wrote down four recipes and need to add a couple things to my shopping list. 

With funny names like Crock Pot-ato Soup and RotelTisserieVeetaTini and Ain’tChiladas, the cook obviously has a sense of humor. He also promotes charitable organizations close to his heart without being preachy about it. His love of family and friends also comes through in the short narratives accompanying some of the recipes. 

Myrtle’s Pasta Bake sounds a lot like the baked ziti that my husband orders at our favorite local Italian place. Pasta, meat sauce, cheese: I could fix me a plate of that. 

Sweet Potato Casserole isn’t an everyday food at my house, but this one sounds like a delicious variation that might be worth making for the next holiday. I can practically taste it now. 

Sodie Spice Cake is literally what it sounds like. A can of whatever soda you like, a box of whatever cake mix, both dumped over some apple pie filling. I haven’t made a dessert in ages, but I think this would be a big hit next time we have a family gathering. 

But that Chicken Cobbler…I might just make that this weekend. Shredded chicken, any variety of vegetables, biscuit mix, some liquids and that stick of butter—come fix you a plate.

Abandoned Southern Virginia: The South Begins Here by Liz Roll

 

Reviewed by Jeanne

The intriguing cover invited me to pick up this book. This is a book that’s difficult to review because it is very much a visual experience.  It’s a collection of arresting photographs of abandoned places in Virginia, from ghost towns to factories to schools.  The photographer does an amazing job of lighting a scene, making faded colors pop even as they show wear and neglect. 

I was mesmerized by the book.  It’s obvious that Roll is a gifted photographer, with an artist’s eye for detail.  I spent a lot of time poring over pictures, enjoying the color, details, and the vibe—sometimes a bit creepy, sometimes sad, sometimes mysterious.  Some of the places are said to be haunted, such as Union Level, a place I had never heard of before but which claims to be the most photographed ghost town in Virginia.

Sometimes there is only a limited amount of text to a section. I admit to being disappointed at times at the dearth of information about a place or shot—some places aren’t really identified, perhaps to keep people away.  Some sections do have text that places the structures in historical context, such as how desegregation led to the closure of a specific school. On the other hand, some sites such as the old factories have a good introduction which gave me a greater appreciation for the photos.  Naturally, some of the abandoned places have acquired a bit of graffiti, some of which is artistic in its own right. The other thing I would really have liked to see would have been a little map to give at least a general idea of where these places are located.

But those are minor things beside the photographs.  These images are really memorable and amazing, and I recommend this book.