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StoryKeeper@books.theunseen.city

Joined 1 year, 2 months ago

Inveterate reader - Usually have several books going at once. Loyal library patron and independent (used and new) bookstore customer.

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StoryKeeper's books

Marjorie Kowalski Cole: The city beneath the snow (2012, University of Alaska Press) No rating

Review of 'The city beneath the snow' on 'Storygraph'

No rating

Such fun to read about current Alaska: from pilots to studying in Seattle to Athabaskan fiddling.  The women in these stories are at turning points and most of them find joy in finding themselves willing to ʼsee it throughʼ

Martin Walker: The devil's cave (2013) 5 stars

Investigating an apparent occult murder during the Easter season in St. Denis, beloved chief of …

Review of "The devil's cave" on 'Storygraph'

5 stars

Wonderfully evocative: descriptions of land, houses, village life, food, wine.  French countryside, World War II history,    This is an unusual police procedural.

"A warm, wry, sharply observed debut novel about what happens when a family is forced …

Review of 'Seven days of us' on 'Storygraph'

5 stars

Thoroughly enjoyable family drama, written recently about tropical disease danger and quarantine (resonating with our pandemic).  The four people each have secrets and they learn their loved ones are knowingly accepting of their true selves.

In peaceful Buddhist Laos, Dr. Siri confronts a deadly Casanova targeting lovely young women.

Review of 'The merry misogynist' on 'Storygraph'

5 stars

like the writing
"The shop owner was a heavily built and — after a little coaxing — jolly woman in her fifities.  She was the same well built, jolly woman who ran the coffee shops and noodle stalls the length and breadth ot the country.  Heʼd seen her everywhere: the same smile, hair in an untidy bun, the same bawdy humour.  The same washed-out pastel blouse and threadbare purple phasin. “ p 114

Kazuo Ishiguro: Never Let Me Go (2006, Vintage International) 4 stars

From the Booker Prize-winning author of The Remains of the Day and When We Were …

Review of 'Never Let Me Go' on 'Storygraph'

4 stars

A quiet book: from some mentions before I was expecting more tension, but this is told looking back, regretfully.  Think some older teens might take this as a Very Important Book  Certainly it addresses what matters in live and love and conversation. 

Review of 'Tip of the iceberg' on 'Storygraph'

4 stars

Ferries, glaciers, John Muir, villages: the author took his time exploring Alaska in 2017, while referring to the travels of the Harriman Expedition.  This is a travelogue, with history.   As resident of 4 decades, I found friends described fairly, appreciation for the scenery expressed, and no flagrant errors (this is high praise considering the subject matter).

Review of 'Sleeping Nymph' on 'Storygraph'

4 stars

This is intriguing.  The protagonist is not your typical hero of a mystery novel, the setting is remote (Val Resia), the plot is convoluted (involving generations), and the tension quite high (in the gym, in the forest, in traps).     Yet, I liked it a lot.  Maybe because I want to be part of a band of Merry Men, like the team members here:  “I can tell you what youʼre doing is illegal, immoral and might even cost you your job.  But itʼs for a good cause.”      

reviewed World of Trouble by Ben H. Winters (The Last Policeman, #3)

Ben H. Winters: World of Trouble (Paperback, 2014, Quirk Books) 4 stars

"With the doomsday asteroid looming, Detective Hank Palace has found sanctuary in the woods of …

Review of 'World of Trouble' on 'Storygraph'

4 stars

Person who recommended this was right to suggest that the wrap up is right and justified.   Excellent reading during these months of lingering doubt and increased mortality.

Anthony Horowitz: Magpie Murders (Hardcover, 2017, Harper) 4 stars

Review of 'Magpie Murders' on 'Storygraph'

5 stars

quirky - great for people who have read English murder mysteries;  This is an intriguing village mystery with all the stock characters, set into the lives of the author and his publishers.

Tristan Gooley: The lost art of reading nature's signs (2015) 4 stars

Presents a compendium of information and forecasting details that can be gathered from observations about …

Review of "The lost art of reading nature's signs" on 'Storygraph'

5 stars

Wonderful - reminded me of books I read as a child about tracking.  He is an expert and a good teacher, pushing us to observe.  (I want to be on a beach where I can try to see the sunset twice and I will remember to turn around to see colors change because the vibrancy sunlight bestows).

Andromeda Romano-Lax: The Spanish bow (2007, William Heinemann) 5 stars

When Feliu Delargo is born in late-nineteenth-century Spain - in less than happy circumstances - …

Review of 'The Spanish bow' on 'Storygraph'

5 stars

A novel, within real history.  Addresses the role of the artist in political turmoil - 20th century Spain.  A tear-jerker. Great writing about music. Careful description of people, situations, conditions, and decisions.

Jim Tankersley: The Riches of This Land (AudiobookFormat, 2020, Public Affairs, Hachette B and Blackstone Publishing) 4 stars

Review of 'The Riches of This Land' on 'Storygraph'

4 stars

Careful description of careers that made America strong - what we lost as corporations went for cheapness and ʼefficiencyʼ.  The cost of short work weeks for meager pay.

Ron Ritchhart: Creating cultures of thinking (2015) 4 stars

"Discover why and how schools must become places where thinking is valued, visible, and actively …

Review of 'Creating cultures of thinking' on 'Storygraph'

4 stars

Good mix of cases and stories with some theory.  Aim of the book (and Project) is to encourage thoughtful discussion and reaction so youngsters learn to think.  Catch is that adults need to model the complexity of how to to learn and how to discuss what we know and how we know it.

Review of 'Secrets of My Mountain' on 'Storygraph'

5 stars

Amazing book, properly called memoir.  There are painful experiences retold, but determination and love of animals and humans are shared too. Fascinating. 
The author gives us polished stones (memories that glisten) set with only as much context as we need and plenty of room for reflection. Philosophical thoughts nestle with secret intrigue. The descriptions of maternal love are more than beautiful - they are inspirational. The time spent with K.M. Perry is well rewarded.