Library A to Z #5

Just finished a short, but sweet, book, THE HOMECOMING PARTY by Carmine Abate, translated from the Italian by Antony Shugaar. It's the story of the conflict between father and son and the events that happen along the way to the final surprising climax. 

I'm reading another book by Edward Abbey. Apparently he has quite a following because of his point of view about government interference in life and nature. More later on this one.

Nos. 3 & 4 on the Library A to Z tour

Before I say anything about the two next books I have to finish with #2, GRACELAND by Chris Abani.

Finished it yesterday. I was seriously apprehensive about reading or finishing the book because I knew there were going to be some pretty traumatic and brutal moments. Got through them and the young man did, too. I was going to add some of the recipes that were in the book and some of the descriptions of herbs that are found in the area that the book is about, but I forgot. Took the book back to the library. If you can find the book anywhere please read it. It's worth the effort.

Book # 3 is FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN by Edward Abbey. Incredibly enjoyable book. Quick read. but Abbey has a great ability to describe the surroundings of his tale without getting too flowery. I could see and feel the New Mexican desert while reading. The story itself wasn't anything new or unforgettable. The characters were pretty much business as usual: the old codger refusing to leave his land that the gov't was trying to take away from him, thegrandson, the Mexican housekeeper, the military people, the marshal, etc. I don't care I enjoyed the book. It was a good getaway.

Book #4 is COLLISION by Jeff Abbott. This one was a non-stop, fast-moving, hold on to your seats thriller. Lots of violence and gunplay, no sex. 

I just realized that reading all the books in the library should have started when I was at least 10 years old. There are a lot of books to be read! DUH! What was I thinking? But it's been fun so far. 

Library A ato Z cont.

I'm coming to the end of the book GRACELAND by Chris Abani. I tend to read ahead in books to see what is coming especially if the book shows tendencies of being brutal. Well, the rest of this book I know is not going to be fun, but I want to see what happens to this young man. He has endured so much and he is going to endure even more. How can people be so inhuman? Or is inhumanity part of being human? It seems so from all of "human" history. When do people get tired of persecuting others? I don't suppose it  will ever happen because of all the new people being born everyday. There is always going to be someone of ill intent around whether he or she persecutes a lot of people or only one.

"A" book #2

I am right now in the middle of the second book in the "A"s called GRACELAND by Chris Abani. The book is about a young man who lives in Lagos(Nigeria.) It goes back and forth between his young boyhood and when he is trying to live independently against remarkable odds. It is written by a Nigerian who went into exile because of being persecuted for his writings. It's well-written and gives a view of life in Nigeria during the 70s and 80s.

Library A to Z

Reading the library from A to Z is an idea I got out of a book, but I can't remember which one at the moment.  I am doing this mainly because of financial circumstances at the moment, but it also saves me a lot of consternation when trying to choose a book. So far, I haven't been disappointed with my choices. The first book I read was Agent of Influence by David Aaron. Sounds like foreign intrigue to me and it is. The book has likable, believable characters for the most part and the story could be happening today although it's set in the 80s. No cell phones and computer use is really basic. The old DOS system. Jeez! How did we ever get along without things the way they are today? I won't tell you the story except to say if one is fond of foreign intrigue I would recommend the book. Has an intriguing love story and some sex and of course, murder.

Coming to the end!

I am still taking pictures of the giant philodendren(sp?) and when it's all over I'm going to cut it down. I think it's done a fabulous job of blooming this year. There were I think at least a dozen blooms. Twice as many as any time before. Don't know why. They usually increased each year by one or two and the season for them usually was over by the end of May. I've had these things through August and the last one is just now falling off. I want to get rid of it because it has gotten too big for the patio. Can't sit at the table or walk out the door without running into one of the huge leaves. Time for it to go.
I wanted to show the purity of the inside of the bloom, but my photo skills are pretty basic. That part is what fascinates the most. Men just get upset when they see the thing. Wonder why?

May Bloomer cont.

It is May 10 and the first guys are sticking their heads out of their shells or pods. I am always fascinated by this event. Maybe because there's a bit of a phallic symbol going on here. I usually don't get two at a time, but this year is different. These two will last for a day or so then close up, rot and fall to the ground. The inside of the pod is the most pristine creamy white as is the part that sticks out. Is that a stamen or a pistil? Must do some research on flowers. They are flowers of a sort, but I don't know what purpose they serve. All in all, there are a grand total of seven to bloom. That's the most there have ever been. The pics are not in order. Look at them from bottom to top. Doesn't matter much because the plant is pretty spectacular.