Author: Bag Full of Books

Library Haul Week Sixteen-2015

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We’ve had glorious weather this past week. The snow has melted, birds are chirping, the first of the gentle buds are forming on the tips of branches. Nature is poised to leap into Spring. We went on a glorious picnic on the weekend. I read a Betty Neels book- ‘Sister Peters in Amsterdam’ on the picnic. I had never read Betty Neels before and was recommended this book by a friend on Instagram. When I received the book from the library I laughed at the funny cover design!

IMG_0470Since then I’ve read a couple of her books and have come to the conclusion that her stories  are a nice, very light read but are a tad formulaic. There is usually a young British nurse, a Dutch doctor and the romances are very genteel… at least the ones I’ve read. What I liked most were descriptions of food, nature, clothing and how charming the books are, if a little repetitive. They are set in interesting locations. Madeira, Amsterdam, Delft and rural England featured in the ones I read. The books are not always very complimentary to women, however. The women always forsake their careers for marriage- which seems to be the be all and end all purpose of life. So if you are willing to overlook the ‘datedness’ of these book you may enjoy them.

‘Whose Body’ by Dorothy L Sayers was my first book by this author who I have been meaning to read forever. I enjoyed the mystery aspect of the story and am eager to read more about Lord Peter Wimsey. Find the full review of the book here.

‘I Want my Hat Back’ by Jon Klassen was an interesting book for Little M. It was funny and quirky and just a tad cruel. Little M  did not fully comprehend the ending and I didn’t force the truth upon her.

Lastly we have been hooked on the dramatization of the Outlander. Last year I read the book and had mixed feelings about it. I loved the premise of the book- a woman slipping back into time several hundred years into medieval Scotland with a chance to change history. I found the book rather long and some of the descriptions gruesome but overall  I enjoyed it. When I saw the DVD at the library I leapt at the chance to see it. The picturization of rural Scotland is just captivating and the dramatization very well done. Cannot wait to catch up with the second half of the series which is airing now on television.

A good week. I will leave you with my journal entry for the cover of Sayer’s ‘Whose Body’

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Whose Body by Dorothy L. Sayers

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Title: Whose Body?

Author: Dorothy L Sayers

Published: 1923

Main Characters: Lord Peter Wimsey (amateur detective), Inspector Parker (Wimsey’s friend and accomplice), Inspector Sugg (Scotland Yard), Bunter -Lord Peter’s butler, a host of different suspects.

Book Setting: London, England in the 1920s.

Short Synopsis of the Story:  The body of a man is discovered in the bathtub of a Mr. Thipps, wearing nothing but a pair of pince nez. Nobody knows anything about the identity of the man and even less about how he came to be in Mr. Thipp’s bathtub.On the same day that the body is discovered Sir Reuben Levy, a wealthy  financier goes mysteriously missing. Could the two incidents be connected? Lord Peter Wimsey puts his wits to the test in order to get to the bottom of the question, aided by Parker and his faithful butler Bunter.

Thoughts About the Book: I’m a great enthusiast of the mystery novel genre especially books that hail from the ‘Golden Age’ of detective fiction. It seemed natural that I should look towards the works of one of the stalwarts of the genre – Dorothy L Sayers herself. Initially I found the character of Peter Wimsey delightful but a tad superficial. He reminded me a little of Bertie Wooster with all the hallmarks of the English aristocracy. In the opening page, Sayer’s quirkily and memorably describes Wimsey’s appearance as follows:

His long, amiable face looked as if it had generated spontaneously from his top hat, as white maggots breed from Gorgonzola.

Lord Peter lives in a block of new expensive flats opposite Green Park, dines at the Club, buys expensive rare antiquarian books, plays the piano, keeps a butler and dabbles in detective work in his spare time to amuse himself. However, as the story progresses and more details of Wimsey’s character become apparent we start to gain a greater understanding for his actions and motivation in his life. Wimsey has a great regard and respect for his butler Bunter. We learn that they both were comrades in the Great War. Bunter is therefore privy to Wimsey’s weaknesses, especially his nightmares that are the result of shell shock during the war.

Wimsey is highly conscientious. When he finds himself deeply embroiled in the mystery, he confides in Parker-

“That’s what I’m ashamed of, really,” said Lord Peter.”It is a game to me, to begin with, and I go on cheerfully, and then suddenly see that somebody is going to be hurt, and I want to get out of it.”

Parker responds to Lord Peter-

‘Life’s not a football match. You want to be a sportsman. You can’t be a sportsman. You’re a responsible person.”

The ever jocular Peter Wimsey responds –

“I don’t think you ought to read so much theology,” said Lord Peter.”It has a brutalizing influence.”

Conclusion: Its very difficult to write a review of a mystery story without giving something away but I will say that Sayer’s presents an intelligent plot in this mystery novel. What sets Sayers apart from others is the depth of her intelligence. This is evident in her wit and her ability to humanize a character. By the end of the novel not only do we start to respect Lord Peter Wimsey but we are also eager to learn more about his character and all his future detective endeavors. A great start to a detective series.

I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen

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Title: I Want My Hat Back

Author and Illustrator: Jon Klassen

Published: 2011

Main Characters: A bear, a rabbit, a pointed red hat and several woodland characters.

Short Synopsis of the Story: A bear has lost his hat. He politely asks several woodland creatures that he passes whether they have seen his hat or not. One particular woodland character, a rabbit (wearing a pointed red hat) rather strongly denies that he has stolen the hat and quickly dismisses the bear. Later on the bear rather sadly lies down on the ground and worries he may never see his hat again. One woodland creature comes up to him and asks him what the hat looks like. The bear says it is red and pointed and only then is struck with the thought that he has seen the hat recently on someones’s head! He travels back to the rabbit and accuses him of stealing the hat.

Next we see the bear sitting down with the hat back on his head. A passing squirrel asks the bear if he has seen a rabbit. The bear protests very loudly that he has neither seen nor eaten a rabbit. He asks the squirrel not to ask him anymore questions.

Conclusion: I enjoyed the part of the story where the rabbit and the bear protest too loudly especially when they are in the wrong. This made me laugh. However, the fact that the bear had eaten up the rabbit to retrieve his hat was a hard story to deliver to my three year old. When I told her, she very aptly responded with,”Did he need to eat the rabbit up?”

Did he indeed?

Library Haul-Week Thirteen -2015

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Week 13 is the week that Spring was supposed to arrive. Instead we had snow in Massachusetts. Admittedly, not knee deep, masses and masses of snow. But enough snow to remind us that the idyllic springtime picture of daffodils, violets, cherry blossom, green buds on trees and chirping birds was a far cry away. On a positive note, cold temperatures are conducive to staying indoors and enjoying books and movies.

We brought home books for Little M- namely The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf and video content in the form of Bambi. This was a re-watch, clearly Little M liked this movie enough to want to see it again.

For me this week was hit and miss- I followed up my recent reading of Christianna Brand’s wonderful mystery novel ‘Green for Danger’ with its Criterion Collection movie counterpart. As (nearly) always the movie failed to live up to the original book. One of the major problems was that the book was still very fresh in my memory- I remembered all the subtle nuances of plot and had already even etched out how the characters looked in my mind. One of the major characters had been omitted and also a major love story completely wiped away and this thoroughly upset me. Do read the original book if you get a chance and have an inclination for reading crime fiction. I loved the book so much that I even painted the cover in my journal.

‘Nightingale Wood’ by Stella Gibbons was a beautiful, 1930s Cinderella story told to perfection. Read the full book review here. Cannot wait to read EVERYTHING else by her starting with Cold Comfort Farm. I will leave you this week with an attempt at sketching the cover of Green for Danger in my journal. Cheerio!

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The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf

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Title: The Story of Ferdinand

Author: Munro Leaf

Illustrator: Robert Lawson

Published: 1936

Main Characters: Ferdinand the bull.

Short Synopsis of the Story: The story is set in Spain. Ferdinand the bull is a placid creature. When his fellow bulls are busy playing aggressive games and fighting with one another, nothing pleases Ferdinand more than to sit  quietly by himself and enjoy the scent of the flowers. One day when Ferdinand is much older, several men arrive form Madrid to pick a bull for the fighting. They try to pick the most aggressive bull. On that particular day Ferdinand gets stung by a bee and jumps up and down like crazy. The men from Madrid think he will be the perfect bull for the bullfight and pack him into a cart to be taken to Madrid. On the day of the bullfight, the stadium is packed with excited onlookers. The Banderilleros, Picadores and Matadors enter the stadium and are shivering with anticipation and fear. At last Ferdinand emerges into the ring and to everyones surprise sits down quietly and sniffs the fragrance of the flowers in the ladies’ hair. There is no bull fight that day and Ferdinand is escorted back home where he continues to lead a peaceful life.

Favorite Part of the Story: The message of non- violence is an important one to be taught to children from an early age but I think the concept of bull fighting was beyond the scope of my three year olds understanding. Nevertheless, a worthwhile read to go back to in a couple of years I think.

The Day the Crayons Quit

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Title: The Day the Crayons Quit

Author: Drew Daywalt

Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers

Published: 2013

Main Characters: Duncan, The different colored crayons.

Short Synopsis of the Story: One day during class, Duncan goes to opens his crayons and discovers a stack of letters with his name written on them. Each of his crayons has written him an individual letter airing their grievances regarding Duncans usage of that particular crayon. Duncan in an effort to please each and everyone of his crayons draws a beautiful picture incorporating all the colors of his crayons.

Favorite Part of the Story: The beautiful picture drawn in crayons at the end of the book is perhaps the highlight of the story. All the colored crayons mentioned in the previous pages makes a special contribution to the picture which is characterized by wild animals, sea creatures, boats, wizards, locomotives, and even a special appearance from Santa Clause himself! Of special interest are the green sea, the yellow sky, orange whale and other anomalously colored entities.

My three year old listened with fascination to the individual stories each of the crayons had to tell, the descriptions and pictures of the characteristic objects that the particular crayon in question is used to illustrate. For example red  is used to draw apples, strawberries, fire engines and Santa’s costume.

It is a nice lesson in color for small children, and a visual treat for children and adults.

Moreover, it reminds us that artistic creativity knows no boundaries. We have the artistic license to paint green seas, orange whales and pink sea monsters.

Nightingale Wood by Stella Gibbons

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Title: Nightingale Wood

Author: Stella Gibbons

Published: 1938

Main Characters: Viola or young Mrs. Wither ( 21 year old widow of Teddy ), Mr. Wither (Viola’s father-in-law), Mrs Wither (Viola’s mother-in-law), Madge (elder daughter of the Withers), Tina (younger daughter of the Withers), Saxon Caker (the Wither’s chauffeur and Tina’s love interest), Victor Spring (rich neighbor of the Withers and Viola’s love interest), Hetty (Victor Spring’s orphaned cousin).

Book Setting: Rural Essex (England) in the late 1930s.

Short Synopsis of the Story:  Recently widowed and impoverished Viola Withers finds herself forced to live with her in-laws -the Withers in their dull, gloomy country house in Essex. Mr. Wither is obsessed with his money and investments. Madge the elder daughter longs for a companion and finds it in a newly adopted dog.  Viola finds a companion in Tina who has a secret obsession for their handsome chauffeur Saxon. Viola meets their rich neighbour Victor Spring and finds in him her Prince Charming. Whether Victor Spring reciprocates her love and fully appreciates the seriousness of her regard is however another matter.

Thoughts About the Book: Superficially, Nightingale Wood is the quintessential Cinderella story. If the relationship between Viola and Victor Spring had been the soul focus of the book- then perhaps Nightingale Wood would have been a good but unremarkable story. However, the book has many layers to it. There are many relationships and stories that are simultaneously unravelling before our eyes. There is the unconventional relationship between Tina and Saxon. Herein, Gibbons shows us that money and status can overnight convert the opinions and regard of the English middle class. Whilst Viola longs for the sparkling, gaiety filled social life that the Spring’s enjoy, Hetty longs to leave her privileged existence at the Spring household and is fascinated by the gloom, austerity and ‘Chekhovian’ atmosphere of Mr.Wither’s house.

Gibbons narrates the story with great finesse. The fairy tale like romantic scenes of the book are described with beautiful language and description. Where I find Gibbons excels is her ability to bring the reader down to earth with her juxtaposition of romantic description with down to earth wit.

The following is a description of events and Tina’s feelings upon returning home to their dour house after a romantic summer ball and saying goodnight to her love Saxon.

The moonlight, the stillness of the woods, the solemn glimmer of tiny stars, acted powerfully upon her senses. How pure the moonlit air smelled! moving very slowly across miles of country where hawthorn and bean-blossom, orchards and gardens, could yet out-perfume the towns and garages, as they had conquered the middens of Charles II’s day. The old earth keeps her sweetness. And I have to go indoors, to bed, thought Tina, with all this beauty outside. I should like to drive all night, away to the sea. She could hear, in fancy, the long waves rolling in.

Mr Wither shut the front door.

‘Oh dear, I am so tired.’ Mrs Wither patted away a yawn and ruefully bent to rub her evening shoe, wherein a faithful corn was undergoing martyrdom.

Conclusion: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There were many interesting characters and events to enjoy along with Gibbon’s exceptional descriptive storytelling and humour.

Bread and Jam for Frances by Russell Hoban

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Little M and I are working our way slowly but steadily though the Time Magazine’s Top 100 books for Children. We particularly enjoyed Bread and Jam for Frances by Russell Hoban.

Title: Bread and Jam for Frances

Author: Russell Hoban

Illustrator: Lillian Hoban

Published: 1986

Main Characters: Frances (the Badger), Mother Badger, Father Badger, baby sister Gloria and schoolfriend Albert.

Short Synopsis of Story: Frances the Badger is a picky eater. When her Mother gives her eggs for breakfast she chooses to eat her favourite food- bread and jam instead. She prefers to eat the same for dinner that night in lieu of breaded veal cutlets with string beans and baked potatoes. In fact, Frances is so in love with bread and jam that she exchanges her school lunch of chicken salad sandwich for bread and jam.

Her parents decide to teach her a lesson. The next day for breakfast, lunch and dinner Frances is given nothing but bread and jam. Faced with no alternative Frances comes to the conclusion that although she loves bread and jam she does not want to eat it at every meal.

The turning point comes when at dinner that night Frances cries and asks for spaghetti and meatballs instead of bread and jam.

Favourite Part of the Story: The illustrations in this book are just adorable. I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of food in this story. Especially the section where Frances’s friend Albert unpacks his elaborate lunch at his school desk and eats every part of it with great relish.

He took a bite of sandwich, a bite of pickle, a bite of hardboiled egg, and a drink of milk. Then he sprinkled more salt on the egg and went around again… He ate his bunch of grapes and his tangerine…He set the cup custard in the middle of the napkin on his desk… He shut his lunch box, put it back inside his desk, and sighed. “I like to have a good lunch,” said Albert.

Conclusion: My three year old loved the story and kept pointing to the pictures asking to hear about the food descriptions again and again. Four out of five stars.

Library Haul – Week Twelve – 2015

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Another week means another library haul. Here is a picture of just a few of the reading and media items we have been enjoying over the past week. This week Spring comes to Massachusetts and many other places all around the world. Little M has been asking for the longest time, “Is it Spring yet Mamma?”

I keep telling her, it will be Spring when all the snow on the ground will have melted and we can see green grass again. Today is the first day of Spring, the Spring Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere. Despite my best predictions there are still piles of dirty snow on the ground. Oh well, I never was much of a meteorologist!

I digress. Back to the library haul. I have two non-fiction books for you. ‘Joyous Health’ by Joy McCarthy was indeed a joyous read. Rather than being yet another book about a new fangled way to lose weight via a restrictive diet it is a guide with tips to improve digestion, increase energy, balance hormones, improve sleep and just overall improve one’s health. I did not go in great detail over the 150 recipes that the book offers but they all seem quite straightforward. I especially liked the chapters named ‘Get Your Gut on Track’ and ‘Superfoods and Healthy Lifestyle Habits for Joyous Health’. I made illustrative journaling notes of some of the ‘Clean 15’ fruits and vegetables that do not accumulate significant levels of pesticides.

Sara Midda’s ‘In and Out the Garden’ is a beautiful art journal style book related to all things grown in the garden. The illustrations are just delightful. The flyleaf has the following description-

” This book is a potpourri of garden lore. Here are summer days of raspberry picking, swarms of bees laden with pollen, peas ripe for podding, herbs for flavoring. Every page, including the text, has been hand painted. Dip into it for recipes, poems, proverbs and garden thoughts.”

I may have to purchase a copy of the book to keep for future journaling inspiration. It is a beautiful book to admire and browse.

I had wanted to see ‘The Hundred Foot Journey’ ever since it hit the cinemas last year. I am glad I didn’t. Overall it was an entertaining  if somewhat improbable look at an immigrant Indian family’s attempt to set up an Indian restaurant in France. Some of the points covered were the differences between Indian and French cuisine and a talented Indian chef’s attempt to merge the two cuisines with his cooking. Although I am Indian myself, the story just did not resonate with me. I have not read the book so maybe I am missing something when I watch the movie. On the plus side some of the scenes of rural France are just breathtaking. Three out of five stars for me.

Lastly we have that inimitable Disney classic ‘The Jungle Book’. I watched this movie when I was a child so it was nice to re-watch it with little M. She seemed to enjoy all the songs although she was a little afraid of the wild animals at first. After a while she made good friends with them. She asked to watch this again- high praise indeed from a three year old.

So till next week when I will have a fresh library haul for you- goodbye.

P.S. My attempts to illustrate and document the ‘Clean 15’  and ‘Dirty Dozen Plus’  fruits and vegetables below.

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Library Haul- Week Eleven-2015

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Most Saturday mornings we make a pilgrimage to our local library. It is one of the highlights of my week. I thought I would let you have a peek into my library book bag from Week 11 of 2015. I am reading Stella Gibbon’s dreamy Cinderella like novel- Nightingale Wood. It really is very enjoyable.

‘Little M’ -my three year old daughter is reading Esphyr Slobodkina’s ‘Caps for Sale‘ … well I am reading it to her and she is asking me lots of questions about it. Strange questions that disturb the flow of a really good story but which are of utmost importance to a three year old mind. The book is about a peddler, some monkeys and a handful of different colored caps for sale that get lost and the peddler is able to retrieve in the most unexpected way. This was a recommendation from kind Librarian Lady who gives us nice book recommendations when we visit.

I have a fascination for Paris. I’ve always wanted to visit the city. Rachel Khoo’s book ‘Little Paris Kitchen’ revamps traditional Parisian fare and I get to see luscious pictures of food and Rachel in beautifully styled outfits browsing Parisian markets. This serves to abate my Parisian wanderlust at least temporarily.

 Then we have two movies. Little M enjoyed ‘The Aristocats‘ judging by the fact that she did not move from her little sofa during the 79 minutes of playtime. When I asked her for a candid review she said it was good and particularly pointed to the cover picture of the baby cats and said the middle white cat had a pretty pink bow.

Lastly Woody Allen did not disappoint with ‘Magic in the Moonlight’. The movie was pure magic helped by a generous dose of Colin Firth.