And now, the book reviews!
The Book Mouse’s book report
Wow, have I fallen behind- way behind- in my book updates. Yikes!
20. Mafia Cop Killers in Akron, by Mark J. Price. An interesting (and sad) bit of local history about the killing of several police officers, and the wounding of several others, in the early 1900s. The Furnace Street Gang was responsible for a good deal of trouble in the rougher parts of Akron. The book follows the events leading up to the murders and the trials that followed. A great read for local history buffs and true crime fans.
21. Brave Girls, by Harriet Philmus. This is a re-read for me, but I’m so glad this book was reprinted so I could buy it and read it again. I’ve been looking for a copy for many years now. The first time I read it, I was only able to skim it after my mom was able to borrow a rare first edition. Original editions are incredibly hard to find and can cost in the hundreds. As a lifetime member of Girl Scouts, this book really hit home for me. Brave Girls tells the story of the Girl Guides in Europe and their service during World War II. The book was initially published shortly after the war. What really hit me is that while several girls and adults had their full names used, many only were mentioned by their first names, or even by their initials. The reason is chilling: After The Great War, the tales of the Allied heroes circulated. As the Nazis and their allies came to power, those stories were researched, and often the heroes were killed, explained the author. Thus, the reason for secrecy. I got goosebumps reading that.
These Girl Guides and their leaders risked their lives - and sometimes lost them- in their efforts to defeat the Nazis. Some of the Guides were not even in their teens. They smuggled documents, distributed food and medicine and even carried weapons on occasion. The bravery these young women and their leaders showed is awe-inspiring. And when the war ended, the stories of them once again donning their once forbidden uniforms and pins made me shed more than a few years. It’s a humbling book, and shows the power of the Girl Scout and Girl Guide organizations.
22. Lost Akron, by Mark J. Price. Akron residents, both old and young, will enjoy this book about some of the now-gone features of Akron. Did you know, for example, that Akron had the first motorized police car? It didn’t last long though (read the book to find out why). Of course, there’s mention of the rubber factories; what isn’t as well known was the old rubber museum. Akron also was a place that manufactured silver screens for many years. And the theaters- so many theaters and performance halls! This book is chock full of long-ago Akron and what it used to have. A treat for history buffs and Akron-area residents.
23. The Dark Crystal Creation Myths, vol. 2, by Brian Froud. Really enjoyed this second installment. This details the fall of the UrSkeks, the formation of the urRu and the Skeksis (which looked far different than I would have pictured at their beginning, but the design makes sense), the cracking of the crystal, and the aftermath. Raunip and Aughra grow more distant, especially after Raunip finds out about how he came to be. Again, great story, loved the history, and lovely illustrations. Hope I can get my hands on the third volume soon!
24. Song of the Dark Crystal, by J.M. Lee. This is the second book of this series. Wow, I just love the world building in this series. The point of view switches from Naia to Kylen, who really grows with this journey. Naia and Kylen continue to make their way to the All-Maudra after learning of the treachery of the Skeksis lords. The book is full of twists and turns as the two meet both friends and foes. It’s hard to give a review without giving spoilers, so I’ll just leave it that I really enjoyed this installment and hope to read the next one soon.
25. The Best of Hal Lebovitz, by Hal Lebovitz. A collection of columns by late sportswriter Hal Lebovitz. Even if you are not a sports fan, like yours truly, these columns are engaging and educational at the same time. I really enjoyed the insights into the history of our local sports teams and sports figures. Lebovitz was in the profession for a very long time, and his keen sense of history and his knowledge shine through. But his heart also is prevalent. A great read, I highly recommend it.
26. Losing the News, by Alex S. Jones. For those interested in journalism, and particularly newspapers, I recommend The Death and Life of American Journalism… and this book. Combined, these two books excellently sum up the history of newspapers as well as the current dilemmas in the profession. While the book is mostly about newspapers, it delves a bit in other media formats as well. Well worth the read.
Currently Reading: The Way We Never Were, by Stephanie Coontz, and The Crisis of Journalism Reconsidered, by Jeffrey C. Alexander.
One final note: Fingers crossed that next time I post, I'll have at least one bit of wonderful news to share! Squee!
Wow, have I fallen behind- way behind- in my book updates. Yikes!
20. Mafia Cop Killers in Akron, by Mark J. Price. An interesting (and sad) bit of local history about the killing of several police officers, and the wounding of several others, in the early 1900s. The Furnace Street Gang was responsible for a good deal of trouble in the rougher parts of Akron. The book follows the events leading up to the murders and the trials that followed. A great read for local history buffs and true crime fans.
21. Brave Girls, by Harriet Philmus. This is a re-read for me, but I’m so glad this book was reprinted so I could buy it and read it again. I’ve been looking for a copy for many years now. The first time I read it, I was only able to skim it after my mom was able to borrow a rare first edition. Original editions are incredibly hard to find and can cost in the hundreds. As a lifetime member of Girl Scouts, this book really hit home for me. Brave Girls tells the story of the Girl Guides in Europe and their service during World War II. The book was initially published shortly after the war. What really hit me is that while several girls and adults had their full names used, many only were mentioned by their first names, or even by their initials. The reason is chilling: After The Great War, the tales of the Allied heroes circulated. As the Nazis and their allies came to power, those stories were researched, and often the heroes were killed, explained the author. Thus, the reason for secrecy. I got goosebumps reading that.
These Girl Guides and their leaders risked their lives - and sometimes lost them- in their efforts to defeat the Nazis. Some of the Guides were not even in their teens. They smuggled documents, distributed food and medicine and even carried weapons on occasion. The bravery these young women and their leaders showed is awe-inspiring. And when the war ended, the stories of them once again donning their once forbidden uniforms and pins made me shed more than a few years. It’s a humbling book, and shows the power of the Girl Scout and Girl Guide organizations.
22. Lost Akron, by Mark J. Price. Akron residents, both old and young, will enjoy this book about some of the now-gone features of Akron. Did you know, for example, that Akron had the first motorized police car? It didn’t last long though (read the book to find out why). Of course, there’s mention of the rubber factories; what isn’t as well known was the old rubber museum. Akron also was a place that manufactured silver screens for many years. And the theaters- so many theaters and performance halls! This book is chock full of long-ago Akron and what it used to have. A treat for history buffs and Akron-area residents.
23. The Dark Crystal Creation Myths, vol. 2, by Brian Froud. Really enjoyed this second installment. This details the fall of the UrSkeks, the formation of the urRu and the Skeksis (which looked far different than I would have pictured at their beginning, but the design makes sense), the cracking of the crystal, and the aftermath. Raunip and Aughra grow more distant, especially after Raunip finds out about how he came to be. Again, great story, loved the history, and lovely illustrations. Hope I can get my hands on the third volume soon!
24. Song of the Dark Crystal, by J.M. Lee. This is the second book of this series. Wow, I just love the world building in this series. The point of view switches from Naia to Kylen, who really grows with this journey. Naia and Kylen continue to make their way to the All-Maudra after learning of the treachery of the Skeksis lords. The book is full of twists and turns as the two meet both friends and foes. It’s hard to give a review without giving spoilers, so I’ll just leave it that I really enjoyed this installment and hope to read the next one soon.
25. The Best of Hal Lebovitz, by Hal Lebovitz. A collection of columns by late sportswriter Hal Lebovitz. Even if you are not a sports fan, like yours truly, these columns are engaging and educational at the same time. I really enjoyed the insights into the history of our local sports teams and sports figures. Lebovitz was in the profession for a very long time, and his keen sense of history and his knowledge shine through. But his heart also is prevalent. A great read, I highly recommend it.
26. Losing the News, by Alex S. Jones. For those interested in journalism, and particularly newspapers, I recommend The Death and Life of American Journalism… and this book. Combined, these two books excellently sum up the history of newspapers as well as the current dilemmas in the profession. While the book is mostly about newspapers, it delves a bit in other media formats as well. Well worth the read.
Currently Reading: The Way We Never Were, by Stephanie Coontz, and The Crisis of Journalism Reconsidered, by Jeffrey C. Alexander.
One final note: Fingers crossed that next time I post, I'll have at least one bit of wonderful news to share! Squee!