Reconciliation--#97 finished

 This is a book that has been sitting on my shelf for years and now was finally the time to read it, I guess.  It was written by Benazir Bhutto a former prime minister--democratically elected--in Pakistan.  She finished this book right before she was assassinated after recently returning to Pakistan from exile.  The book though is not so much about her as instead about Islam and how Democracy is in line with Islamic truths.  This relationship between the two has been corrupted over the years but local authoritarian leaders along with just the history of Islam becoming more men focused leadership.  She had plenty of ideas for improving her country and the other Islamic countries but unfortunately her death seems to have ended many of these.  She could have been a moderating voice so needed back in the 2000s to 2010s but it was a hard sell with the US in Afghanistan and Iraq.  A good read to learn more about Islam for a moderate voice.

There were no copies in PBS system so I have posted it, not sure if will get requested or not but figure a good one to pass along. 

All the Beautiful Girls--#96 finished

 This is one that I had sitting on a shelf next to this computer, it was sitting there for a couple years and just figured it was time to be read.  Was looking for a fiction story that wasn't too deep or anything, just a good story.  It mostly fit the bill.  Lots of tough things happened to main character Lily--later changed name to Ruby and at end of book back to Lily.  Tough things in the 1960s and 1970s--starting in small town KS and then to Vegas to get away from small town KS.  Then at end to New Mexico.  A good story but seems like author tried too hard to get different interesting things from the time into this book--a sort of Zelig or Forest Gump type thing crossed my mind but not in a good funny way.  An okay read but at times thought this book could have been better.  I am not a writer so this is an unfair criticism but was still a feeling I had.

There are 4 WL for this book in PBS so will post & send off at some point.

Bomb Shelter--#95 finished

 This is a sort of running commentary on author and her family's life.  Her kids are a son in high school and daughter in middle school.  The big event in life was her son having an epileptic seizure and just how scary this is and then working to get his medicine right and how this was affecting is life now and then worrying about the future.  She also writes about other things in life and mixes worry with humor.  A good quick sort of read.

There was 1 WL for this book in PBS and since someone had requested one of my other books I posted this one right away so hopefully mailing off in next few days.  Have plenty of credits but figured why not.

Why I Am A Catholic--#94 finished

 I finished this about a week ago but just now getting it logged in.  So this means I will be working off memory a little more.  My impression of the beginning of the book was this is very much like a history book.  A lot of details about the early church and the infighting between the east--Constantinople and the west--Rome but also throw in a bunch of other places that were sort of fighting for their ideas.  Rome was sort of seen as a seat but what they were thinking wasn't given anything additional over anyone else.  Eventually Rome did sort of wrest the power away but at the expense of having to answer to Kings, etc from Germany, France, Spain, etc.  Throw in the fact that corruption and just plain old crazy men getting elected or put into the papacy makes one wonder how all this survived to today.  

Where I think this book really stepped it up was talking about Vatican II--both what was going on before, during and then afterwards.  A really interesting time and also interesting where author thought the church got away from the good ideas of Vatican II and back slid missing out on what should have been accomplished or changed.  Makes me wonder if the holy spirit at work or looking back at history of papacy, figure more likely the bad ideas of men.  One of the reasons wanted to read this book is because the synodal meetings in Rome under Pope Francis--doesn't sound like much changing but maybe a framework for changes--best can hope for at this point I guess.

This was an interesting read if church history interests you.  Does get into the weeds quite a bit so have to wade through to get to good stuff, if that makes sense.

I am keeping this book for now--it was one that came to me from a friend that we exchange books with so not sure if he wants back or if others in group would want to read.

The Queen of Whale Cay--#93 finished

 What an interesting person, life and an interesting book.  The person is Joe Carstairs but she was named Marion at birth but decided on Joe growing up.  She was born in 1900 into a wealthy family--grandfather was part of Rockefeller's Standard Oil initial investors.  She was basically an out lesbian with some transgender/cross dressing too.  She married once for inheritance purposes and soon divorced.  During WWI she drove ambulances and trucks and then continued to do so in Ireland during fighting there.  Then back to France to help in cleanup after the war.  She found lifelong friends, started a bus type business with them and then inherited a lot of money.  She took up boat racing and won many races & had speed records.  She eventually left England when being a lesbian was no longer being okay and bought an island in the Bahamas--Whale Cay.  There she built up the island and the people living there all while living a sort of outlandish life.  She had many lovers and kept photos of them--some included in the book.  She was basically the ruler of her island.  Things changed in the 1960s and she was getting older and not able to stay on top of it so sold it and moved to Miami.  She had a stuffed doll of a boy--Lord Tod Wadley that she just adored and was of great importance to her her whole adult life.  Really my little writeup does not do justice to this book.  Also I don't think this book probably does justice to Joe Carstairs life--the author didn't know her and did an exceptional job of putting this together but I can't imagine what parts of her life were lost.  Just a really interesting and enjoyable read.

This one is a keeper for me.  I might loan out to friends hoping to get back.

Trust--#92 finished

 This is a book written by Pete Buttigieg about the title--Trust especially in issues, reporting and government.  He wrote this it sounds like right after he dropped out of the primary race for the Democratic nomination.  It was published right before the election.  So talking about trust but with readers knowing how the election went and then Jan 6th, it just seems like there is no trust with at least half of our country.  Was interested in reading book since Pete is in Biden's cabinet as Transportation Secretary but again since was written before election, that appointment was also after this book.  The points in the book are okay but with this next election weeks away, don't think there is much to the "trust" right now.  We are in a sad state in politics.

There are also 6 WL for this book on PBS so will post & mail off at some point.

Grover Cleveland--#91 finished

 This is a book that has been on my shelf for quite a few years.  Finally figured this was the time to read it since DJT is trying to do what only Grover Cleveland has done in our US history--become a 2 term President in non-consecutive terms.  I didn't know/remember much about Grover Cleveland before this so was an interesting read for the good stuff of history.  I chuckled a few times when it was talked about how terrible the Presidential campaign was with the mud slinging and personal attacks--made me think there was more similar to today's contest.  A lot to read about tariffs, silver vs gold standard and then the several main people involved.  Grover Cleveland sounds like a really good President that wasn't afraid to take a stand even if it wasn't in his self interest.  Just a good and interesting read.

There have been 4 WL for this book for probably as many years as it has been on my shelf.  I kind of want to keep it but also think there are people out there that want to read it too.  Not sure yet what to do, but do have enough credits on PBS & a bunch of books I can post for more so don't have to decide right away.

How to Catch a Russian Spy--#90 finished

 A true story about a young man out of college & recently married that wanted to get into a military intelligence position.  He had applied but didn't show enough experience--he was into computers and had changed to work and take over his parent's business of providing books and reports the businesses and individuals.  These are hard to find or get type things.  There had been Russians coming into the business for several years and his parents were providing the FBI with the lists of things the Russians were requesting and were filled out for them.  The author met with the FBI on this & wanted to see if he could do more.  He approached and basically offered up additional services to the Russian.  He developed over time the relationship with the spy and then before the Russian was to be transferred, the FBI stepped in and did a fake arrest of the US man--to show the Russians he was a burned asset.  He was basically working as a double agent.  Interesting read about how FBI operates and also how the Russian spy did as well. 

There are I think 6 WL for this book on PBS so I will probably post & mail off at some point.

Where I Come From--#89 finished

 This is a compilation of previous articles written for Southern Living by author Rick Bragg.  He grew up in small town Alabama and lived in various places but Florida and especially New Orleans also play big roles in these stories.  They are mostly short 2 page entries that are fun to read.  Nothing earth shattering but a nice read about his life and what he is thinking with some humor mixed in.

There are 13 WL for this book on PBS so I will probably post & send off at some point.

Spring Came on Forever--#88 finished

 This is an older book, wrote in 1930s by Nebraska author Bess Streeter Aldrich.  A good story about a young couple that have fallen in love in the time right after the Civil War but are soon separated.  Her family is Lutheran and is moving from IL to NE to establish farms where their group wouldn't be so spread out.  Her mother has passed and it is just her father & a younger brother--her father has already promised her to an older man in their Lutheran group.  The young man that has fallen for her tries to jump ahead and reach her group in NE before they setout for their farms and she is married.  He just misses her by a day.  The book follows them both on the life they lead and then the lives of their children and grandchildren.  A good read about the two lives in the new & growing state of NE.  Enjoyable but wouldn't say great.  Glad to have finally read one of the author's books since she is a renown NE author.

This is a keeper book for me like most NE authors.