Art, Annotated: Your Expert Guide to 500 of the World’s Greatest Works of Art

Reviewed by Jeanne

I like art.  Ever since a long-ago college course in Art History, I’ve been fascinated by it.  My taste is admittedly pedestrian, of the “I know what I like” variety, but I just enjoy looking at various works.  This art book by DK, a publisher known for beautiful illustrations, is a hefty tome but packed full of beautiful pictures and interesting tidbits.  It’s not scholarly, which for me is a point in its favor.  I don’t know enough about painting techniques or art theory to appreciate it on that level.  This one takes a chatty but informative approach, aimed at enhancing the reader’s appreciation of a pretty picture—which I love.

It’s arranged more or less chronologically, starting with cave paintings. Items of interest are pointed out and explained briefly, including sometimes what the item represents or how a line focuses the viewer’s attention.  It’s not just paintings, though; sculpture also makes up a number of entries.  There’s the famous bust of Nefertiti, the Chinese terra-cotta army, Olmec heads, Greek pottery, and Assyrian bas relief.  I learned a lot about items I thought I already knew, giving me a new appreciation for the piece. 

For example, there’s the Venus de Milo— otherwise known as that sculpture of the lady with the missing arms.  From another fragment of the statue found, it appears she might have been holding an apple in one hand; perhaps it was a reference to the myth about the “Judgment of Paris,” though it could also have been a pun as “Milos” sounds like apple in ancient Greek.  Her earlobes are missing, possibly broken off during a theft, as the statue was once adorned with jewelry.

Just as intriguing are some of the works that I didn’t know, which opened new worlds for me.  I prefer older works, but this book also tried to explain modern art to me in ways I could almost understand.

In short, this is a magnificent browsing book, one that can be picked up and enjoyed over and over. 

Floriography: An Illustrated Guide to the Victorian Language of Flowers by Jessica Roux

 

Reviewed by Jeanne

I’ve been intrigued by the Victorian Language of Flowers for years, ever since I first encountered the concept as part of an Agatha Christie mystery.  The idea that you could send a message in a bouquet was very intriguing.  As a result, I’ve dipped into various books on the subject over the years and even done reviews for the bookblog.

This one, however, I picked up because of the artist.  Jessica Roux is a Nashville based artist who likes to use solid, unpatterned backgrounds for her work, making the images pop.  It’s an arresting look that I quite like—so much so that I picked up one of her prints at HollerHouse. The one I chose had a cat in it, because of course it does. 

It was seeing her work there that alerted me to this book.  While the text is brief, the illustrations are showstoppers.  Every other page is a full color painting of the flower being discussed, with its meaning and a list of other plants to pair it with in order to send the message intended.  There’s also a handy section with ideas for bouquets for various occasions (wedding, sympathy, warning, courting, etc.) and a list of meanings with the flowers associated so you could build your own.  For example, pansies mean “You occupy my thoughts” while lily of the valley means “Better times ahead,” making it a nice way of letting someone know that you’re thinking of them and wishing them well.

Even if you aren’t interested in flower meanings, this is wonderful book to browse just for the art. 

You can see more of her work at her website https://www.jessica-roux.com/

And yes, she did two ornaments for the recent Adorn sale at HollerHouse! I think they went very quickly.

 

(Note:  Do I retain much of what I’ve read?  Er, no, I’m usually too busy admiring pictures, so if I send you a bouquet, don’t look for any hidden messages!)

Nevermore: Henry and Clara, Book of Longing, Losing Battles

Reported by Rita

 

Henry and Clara by Thomas Mallon

In this riveting novel, Thomas Mallon re-creates the unusual love story of this young engaged couple whose fateful encounter with history profoundly affects the remainder of their lives. Lincoln’s assassination is only one part of the remarkable life they share, a dramatic tale of passion, scandal, heroism, murder, and madness, all based on Mallon’s deep research into the fascinating history of the Rathbone and Harris families.

This was a real page-turner. Well researched and full of surprising historical facts. The use of period dialect made the story feel authentic. I loved it!      - KN      5 stars

 

Book of Longing by Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen wrote the poems in Book of Longing—his first book of poetry in more than twenty years after 1984's Book of Mercy—during his five-year stay at a Zen monastery on Southern California's Mount Baldy, and in Los Angeles, Montreal, and Mumbai. This dazzling collection is enhanced by the author's playful and provocative drawings, which interact in exciting, unexpected ways on the page with poetry that is timeless, meditative, and often darkly humorous.

I listened to the audiobook, which is read by Cohen, and it’s absolutely beautiful.     – CW     5 stars

 

Losing Battles by Eudora Welty

On the hot, dry first Sunday of August, three generations of Granny Vaughn’s descendants gather at her home in the little town of Banner, Mississippi, to celebrate her ninetieth birthday. The celebrations take only two days, but many members of the family are great storytellers, and when they get together, the temptation is irresistible—a device that enables Eudora Welty to take the reader back into the lost battles of the past, capturing different tones of voice and ways of thinking.

The writing is beautifully poetic. One of the best books I’ve ever read.     AH     5 stars

 

Other Books Mentioned

The Women by Kristin Hannah

Outside by Ragnar Jonasson

Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout

Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger

Staggerford by Jon Hassler

Dear James by Jon Hassler

A Green Journey by Jon Hassler

A Pair of Wings by Carle Hopson

Mountain Mysteries by Larry D. Thacker, Jr.

A Confederacy of Dumptys by John Lithgow

Trumpty Dumpty  Wanted a Crown by John Lithgow

Tower Dog by Douglas Scott Delaney

His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik

A Murder in Music City by Michael Bishop

What the Chicken Knows by Sy Montgomery

 

New Books

The Barn by Wright Thompson

America First by H. W. Brands

The Mesmerist by Caroline Woods

Sleep in Heavenly Pizza by Mindy Quigley

 

Reviewed by Jeanne

Delilah “Dee” O’Leary and her crew are catering an upscale Christmas/ Hanukkah party at a swanky residence when Rabbit, one of her servers decides abruptly to leave the party after an incident with one of the guests.  Perfectionist Dee tries not to be annoyed—Rabbit is a recovering alcoholic and he sometimes needs to head straight to a meeting in order not to relapse—but it does leave her very short-handed.

When Rabbit sends a text saying he needs to take time off, Dee is alternately irritated and worried.  Delilah & Son pizzeria is going to be very busy in the days leading up to Christmas, but also Dee is preparing to host her brother-in-law and her niece for the holidays.  Dee’s sister Sage has kept herself and her family at arm’s length for years, so this is a rare opportunity for Dee to connect to at least some of them. Curmudgeonly Aunt Biz is uncharacteristically aglow with holiday spirit which, albeit very weird, is a pleasant change.

Then the frozen body of one of the party-goers is discovered in a mound of snow and the list of suspects hits very close to home for Dee. It doesn’t help that her almost boyfriend Detective Calvin Capone (yes, as in Al) is on the case and is not going to cut anyone any slack—not even Dee.

This is the fourth in the Deep Dish Mystery series.  I confess that I wasn’t too sure I was going to continue with the series after the first book. Dee is a very strong Type-A personality who has little patience with those around her, including her then-boyfriend whom I liked.  Butterball the cat was a big draw (no pun intended, even though he is a pudgy orange tabby) so I decided to continue.

I’m very glad I did.  The books have gotten better and better.  Dee is still driven but she has enough self-awareness to realize how her attitudes affect those around her and to decide if she can bring herself to moderate some of actions. She’s a work in progress as are we all.  She is sympathetic to the problems of those around her, but she’s no pushover which can lead her to barrel her way in at times—but at least now she thinks about it first. The plot in this one revolved a lot around family but it did advance the main story.  The solution was a very interesting one, and I’m glad that author Quigley didn’t take the easy way out. That, and Dee's growing self-awareness, made this a winner for me.

The supporting characters are getting better and better as well. Sonya, the sous chef and “Son” of Delilah & Son, is a delight.  Butterball is adorable as always.  Jarka the stoic Bulgarian was absent for a good part of the book but shows up to offer some stone-faced observations, aid, and comic relief.

I had a great time reading this cozy, which for me is definitely a cut above the usual mass market paperback cozy.  I read a lot of these so finding a series that I enjoy as much as I do this one is a real treat.  I’m already looking forward to the next in the series!

The series in order:

Six Feet Deep Dish

Ashes to Ashes, Crust to Crust

Public Anchcovy #1

Sleep in Heavenly Pizza

At Death’s Dough (2025)

Cave of Bones: A Leaphorn, Chee, and Manuelito Novel by Anne Hillerman

 

Reviewed by Jeanne

Officer Bernadette Manuelito does not like public speaking.  She’d much prefer working a case, but this time she’s roped into giving a talk to a group of “at risk” girls who are camping as part of a character-building program.  Once she arrives, though, Bernie finds that one of the girls has gone missing.  Bernie joins in the search after calling in reinforcements, and to everyone’s relief, the girl turns up.  Not so one of the camp counselors: the experienced outdoorsman seems to have vanished. Moreover, Bernie is sure there’s something the girl isn’t telling.

Meanwhile, Bernie’s husband, Jim Chee, is away attending a training session which, as it turns out, is close to the small college Bernie’s troubled sister, Darlene, is attending.  Jim contacts Darlene, but is left uneasy by some of the company she’s keeping.

Before it’s all over, Joe Leaphorn will become involved in trying to unravel more than one mystery on the Navajo reservation.

Anne Hillerman is the daughter of famed author Tony Hillerman, who created the Leaphorn and Chee mysteries set among the Navajo.  His books were something of a revelation at the time, vividly evoking the setting and the people.  After his death, Anne took over the series and has written nine books with a tenth due out next year. 

I was an avid reader of Tony Hillerman’s work, so I approached Anne’s books with a bit of trepidation.  While staying close to her father’s characters, Anne has introduced more socially oriented themes about life on the reservations: poverty, diabetes, lack of jobs, etc.  This isn’t to say that her father didn’t address some of the problems, but rather that in Anne’s books they are more likely to take center stage.  Bernie has a good deal of family drama with her sister and her mother, and is also struggling with her own health issues. 

For me, Anne’s books aren’t quite as satisfying as her father’s but I’m equally sure that for some people she provides more context for her characters, giving them fuller backstories.  I also had the feeling in this one that some plot threads were left dangling.

That said, I think both Hillermans are adept at depicting life among the modern Navajo and evoking the beauty of a place and its people.  Good mysteries, too.

Nevermore: Same Sun Here, Ghost Cat, Outside

 

Nevermore 10-15-24 Reported by Rita

Same Sun Here by Silas House

Bonding over commonalities in spite of disparate backgrounds, Meena, an Indian immigrant living in New York City's Chinatown, and River, the son of a Kentucky coal miner, become pen pals and overcome cultural misconceptions while sharing respective hardships.

This book is so good. Very enlightening.   – DC     5 stars

 

The Ghost Cat by Alex Howard

Follows a cat through his nine lives in Edinburgh, moving through the ever-changing city and its inhabitants over centuries.

Not a real literary feat, but fun and cute.    – VC     2 stars

 

Outside by Ragnar Jonasson

Stranded by a snowstorm in the Icelandic highlands, four friends seek shelter in an abandoned hunting lodge where they discover they are not alone, and must come to terms with their past to survive to see their future.

Very similar to Agatha Christie. Really good with a surprise ending.     – NH    5 stars

 

Other Books Mentioned

Dracula by Bram Stoker

Southernmost: a Novel by Silas  House

 Restless Spirits by Linda Dunning

Spirit Tailings by Ellen Baumler

The Lightness of Water & Other Stories by Rhonda Browning White

A Field Guide to the Apocalypse: a Mostly Serious Guide to Surviving Our Wild Times by Athena Aktipis

Roctogenarians by Mo Rocca

Blue-Eyed Butterfly by Sharon  Suskin

Crooked Hallelujah by Kelli Jo Ford

The Women by Kristin Hannah

The Story Collector by Evie Woods

We'll Prescribe You a Cat by Ishida Syou

The Cat Who Saved Books by Sosuke Natsukawa

The Secret, Book & Scone Society by Ellery Adams

 

New Books

The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood

The Connellys of County Down by Tracey Lange

Entitlement by Rumaan Alam

Guilty Creatures by Mikita Brottman

Shock and Paw by Cate Conte

 

Shock and Paw by Cate Conte

Reviewed by Jeanne

It’s Christmas time on Daybreak Island, Massachusetts,  and things are getting festive.  This year Maddie James is determined to stay out of all the holiday planning for the community events and just concentrate on her cat café, JJ’s House of Purrs, named for her ginger rescue cat.  (Who, by the way, is adorable.) Things are being done a bit differently this year, with a cash prize for the best decorated house, a handyman/ electrician on call to help residents do their best, and someone else in charge.

Of course, this is all too good to be true, so when the substandard handyman’s work causes Maddie’s grandfather to fall and hurt his ankle, the decorating is going to fall on Maddie. Then of course, other things start going wrong and Maddie’s mother calls her in desperation.  Maddie is not going to get involved—

But who are we kidding?  Maddie lives for this sort of thing!

It’s just that there’s a lot going on in general. Oh, the café is doing great and the rescued cats are getting adopted, Maddie’s romance is on solid ground, but someone is posting advertisements for pricy designer cats.  There’s even a poster outside of Maddie’s cat café. The Christmas decorating contest has a cash prize this year, and tempers are flaring.  Then a prominent citizen is found dead under unusual circumstances and one of Maddie’s best friends is the prime suspect.  Can Maddie tie up all these loose ends into one big Christmas bow?

This is the eighth in the Cat Café Mystery series, but they don’t need to be read in order.  The series has had its ups and downs, but for the most part I find it entertaining.  I’d saved this one for December because of the holiday setting, and it certainly has helped set the mood.  The plot is competent with a few twists thrown in for good measure.  There’s not a lot of character development and there were a few times when I wanted to give Maddie a good shake, but I give the author credit for introducing an important theme: designer pets created by unscrupulous breeders. (I also liked that for the most part  she avoided listing specific exotic breeds just in case readers decided that it might be nifty to own one.)

If you’re in the market for a light cozy read in between holiday activities, this might be the book for you.

The Cat Who Saved Books by Sosuke Natsukawa

Reviewed by Jeanne

Rintaro Natsuki is a shy, introverted high school student who lives with his grandfather. Now, however, his grandfather has died, leaving Rintaro his shop, Natsuki Books. As Rintaro notes, it isn’t much of an inheritance: the shop doesn’t make much money.  It seems the only thing to do is to sell the shop and move in with his aunt.

Rintaro’s plans are sidetracked by the appearance of a talking cat.  More specifically, an orange cat who says his name is Tiger the Tabby and who also informs Rintaro that he needs the boy to rescue books.  This all seems too odd for Rintaro—or “Mr. Proprietor” as the cat insists on calling him, as if he is going to take over the bookshop. He asks the cat if he can refuse to help and the cat says that he can, but the cat will be bitterly disappointed.

So Rintaro agrees to follow the cat. Rintaro embarks on a series of quests that will help define what it really means to love books and to be a reader.  He encounters a series of folk who claim to love books and present arguments for what they do, and it’s up to Rintaro to see if there is a flaw in their logic.

This may not sound very exciting but as a reader, I loved it.  It made me stop and think about why I read and how I read.  The arguments all sound quite good—for example, one man wants to encourage people to read classic literature so he is trying to make books more accessible and easier to read.  Sounds good, right?  What’s wrong with that?  It’s up to Rintaro to see if there’s a problem.

Rintaro is a sweet protagonist, if a bit defeatist at the start.  He doesn’t really feel connected to anyone but his grandfather.  In finding who he is as a reader, he’ll also find that he has people he cares about and who care about him. I found the book to be inventive and playful, with well-described fantasy scenes and a sense of playfulness along with the serious topics under discussion.

Of course, I loved all the literature references, most of which were to Western books like The Three Musketeers and Chronicles of Narnia.  I found the book to be most inspiring; sometimes I do get in a reading rut and this was the perfect tonic. Now I really want to pick up one of those classics I’ve put off reading and give it my full attention. Mansfield Park, you may be next!

Note:  I recommend reading the translator’s message at the end of the book before reading the book.  I found it most helpful.  For example, Rintaro is described several times as a hikikomori, a term I didn’t know. Translator Louise Heal Kawai explains that it is a Japanese term that means people who “have consciously decided to shut themselves away from society” and who rarely go out.  She goes on to say the term appeared in the Oxford English Dictionary in 2010 so she thought it was in wide enough usage in English that it didn’t need translation.  Gee, I must have missed that update!  Still, I was able to gather some of the meaning.  I mention it here because I think it would have helped as I read if I had known more about the term.  You’re welcome. 

Actually, I found all of the translator’s notes very interesting. I felt it explained the sometimes stilted feel to some of the other translated books I’ve read.  

Nevermore: William Trevor, Bram Stoker, Alexandra David-Neel

 

Nevermore 10-15-24 Reported by Rita

Selected Stories by William Trevor

Collects forty-eight short stories by the author that span more than half a century, illuminating the human condition.

 I couldn’t put it down. Absolutely beautiful.   – MD      5 stars

 

Dracula by Bram Stoker

When Jonathan Harker visits Transylvania to help Count Dracula with the purchase of a London house, he makes a series of terrifying discoveries about his client.

I was surprised by the writing style. I found it very prudish and not extremely scary, but I loved it and highly recommend it.    – VC       5 stars

 

My Journey to  Lhasa by Alexandra David-Neel

First published in 1927, a memoir by the first Western woman to reach the Tibetan city of Lhasa describes her journey to the remote and forbidden region, her travels throughout the continent of Asia, her meeting with the Dalai Lama, and her remarkable encounters with and understanding of Asian culture.

A beautiful exhibition of strength and resilience.    – CD      5 stars

 

Other Books Mentioned

Suffrage Song: the Haunted History of Gender, Race and Voting Rights in the United States of America by Caitlin Cass

Excuse Me While I Disappear by Laurie Notaro

Fall on Your Knees by Ann-Marie MacDonald

River, Cross My Heart by Breena Clarke

Cave of Bones by Anne Hillerman

Holy City by Henry Wise

Dumpty by John Lithgow

Let's Read Our Feet by Jane Sheehan

Serena : a novel by Ron Rash

Telltale Hearts: A Public Health Doctor, His Patients, and the Power of Story by Dean-david Schillinger

Long Haul by Figliuzzi,  Frank

Olive Kitteridge by Strout, Elizabeth

New Books

On Freedom by Timothy Snyder

Keeping the Faith by Brenda Wineapple

Death at the Sanatorium by Ragnar Jonasson

Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller

 

           

Reviewed by Christy

Lula Dean is out to cleanse her small Georgia town of “filth” and protect young, impressionable minds while doing so. She has ignited a campaign against questionable material in the school and public libraries, and if she gets a little much deserved attention while doing so - well, what’s wrong with that? Lula sets up her own little free library in her front yard, filled only with wholesome, Lula-approved books. But a prankster has switched out the book jackets. Instead of the Nancy Drew series or The Art of Crochet, readers are really getting Gender Queer or Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret. Chaos ensues.

            I’m not sure I’ve ever read a book before that was simultaneously fun and enraging. There are some seriously heavy topics discussed in this book as well as general small-town wackiness. Kirsten Miller balances them well. It’s also a book with an “ensemble cast”, so to speak. You get to know a little bit about all the townspeople, and I love books like that. A woman finds out her husband is cheating so she leaves him and becomes a witch? Love it. Discovering Lula’s desperate need for attention and acclaim ramped up after she failed to make the high school cheerleading team? Love it. The local florist blackmailing the bank manager into giving her a loan simply by sending his mistress a bouquet of flowers? Love it. Ok, I’m realizing maybe I just love small-town gossip. But it’s so fun!

While I really enjoyed this book, it does have an After School Special quality to it. The Good Guys have long, righteous rants that are scathing but still eloquent. The Bad Guys get their comeuppance (or even more surprising - see the error of their ways). It’s all tied up very neatly with a bow at the end. And you know what? I love that, too. I get the sense that Miller was not trying to write a totally realistic depiction of these matters. Instead, she was more interested in the idealistic version – a version of life where (most) people react with love and understanding instead of hatred and fear. Sometimes that's just the kind of story you want to read.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson

 

Reviewed by Jeanne

With the release of the new movie, I decided it was time to re-read this children’s classic tale of “the worst kids in the world”—aka the Herdmans. 

Although it’s only 80 pages, Robinson packs a lot into those pages.  Told from the wide-eyed perspective of schoolgirl Beth, we are introduced to the six Herdman children who Beth says are the worst kids in the world.  She then proceeds to list some of things the Herdmans do:  they cuss teachers, steal other kids’ lunches, set fires, and smoke cigars, even the girls.

Yep, those Herdmans are a handful. The one place they haven’t been trouble is in Sunday School, but that’s just because they don’t attend.  In fact, Beth’s brother Charlie lists “No Herdmans” as his favorite thing about Sunday School, which was not really the answer the teacher was looking for, even though it is true.

That’s about to change, and ironically it’s Charlie who causes it by bragging that he doesn’t need his dessert because he gets all the dessert he wants at church: pie, cake, cookies….

The Herdmans are intrigued.  So much so that they turn up for Sunday School just as Beth’s mother is trying to put together the annual Christmas pageant—and the Herdmans take all the roles, even though they have never heard the story of the Nativity.

Will the Wise Men and Joseph get in a fight? Will Mary hit someone with Baby Jesus?  Will the Angel of the Lord whack the Shepherds with her halo?  It seems as if everyone in town can hardly wait to find out.

I had fond memories of this book and I’m happy to say that I found this book just as charming the second time around.  Even better, I discovered there are two sequels:  The Best Halloween Ever (only the Herdmans could get Halloween cancelled) and The Best School Year Ever.

Note:  This is actually the second time this book has been filmed.  It was also done as a TV movie with Loretta Swit and the library does own a DVD of that version.  Both films are very good, but there's nothing like a book.  

Nevermore: Golden Age Whodunits, Changeling, River Cross My Heart

 Nevermore 10-8-24        Reported by Rita

 

Golden Age Whodunits by Otto Penzler

Fifteen puzzling mysteries from the masters of the form.

This book may be good for mystery fans, but it wasn’t my cup of tea.   –WJ     2 stars

 

Changing by Liv Ullmann

Impressions gathered from the experience of living and working with Bergman are predominant in Liv Ullmann's candid discussion of her life as actor and woman.

A beautiful and intense book written from the heart.   –PP      4 stars

 

River, Cross My Heart by Breena Clarke

Following her younger sister's drowning, Johnnie Mae struggles with guilt over her death and coping with family expectations and the recent move to Georgetown.

The ending is stunning. Definitely worth reading.   –CW      5 stars

 

Other Books Mentioned

Serena: a Novel by Ron Rash

James: a Novel by Percival Everett

 Bury Your Gays by Chuck Tingle

Finding Mr. Write by Kelley Armstrong

Mountain Sisters by Helen Matthews Lewis 

The Clockwork Universe by Edward Dolnick

December New Books

 

Adler-Olsen, Jussi  Locked In (Department Q)

Andrews & Wilson  Tom Clancy Defense Protocol

Armstrong, Jess The Secret of the Three Fates

Battles, Brett Stuart Woods’ Golden Hour  (Teddy Fay)

Brannigan, Ellie  Death at an Irish Wedding

Cook, Robin  Bellevue

Ferguson, Lana  Under Loch and Key

Hendrix, Grady  Witchcraft for Wayward Girls

Hurston, Zora Neale  The Life of Herod the Great

Kane, Darby  What the Wife Knew

Klassen, Julie  The Seaside Homecoming

Miller, Linda Lael  Where the Creek Bends

Sanderson, Brandon  Wind and Truth (Stormlight Archive)

Shelton, Paige Perfect Storm

Non-fiction

Banta, Connie This Book is Free and Yours to Keep:  Notes from the Appalachia Prison Book Project

Clark, Marcia  Trial by Ambush:  Murder, Injustice and the Truth about the Case of Barbara Graham

Hasegawa, Tsuyoshi  The Last Tsar:  The Abdication of Nicholas II and the Fall of the Romanovs