October 30, 2020 THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR

 That's the thing with books. Every once in a while, I read a book that I just don't want to end. Crazy, I can have 15 pages left AND I put the book down. There are many reasons I find it hard to finish a book. I  might want to stay in that place or time for a little bit longer-- or I really love the characters, and don't want to say good bye just yet.  Another BIGGY for me is that  I'm afraid I won't like the ending and that could ruin the book. BUT the biggest reason I have trouble sometimes finishing a GOOD BOOK is  my never ending fear of finding another really good book to read--They are far and few between. I read A LOT of books that I enjoy but the books I savor are different. I'm currently reading one of THEM. I have 25 pages left BUT I'M AFRAID TO FINISH IT. I'm no ready to leave, I really like the characters and the story is really interesting . I'm afraid I will be disappointed by the ending AND I don't have another book like this waiting in the wings. So instead of finishing it right now--I'll tell you a little bit about it. The Night Tiger by Yangsze Choo is set in British ruled Malaysia in 1930. Ji Lin is a determined young woman who wants to attend university but instead is an apprentice dressmaker because of her old fashioned family. Ji Lin also works part time at a dance hall to pay off her mother's gambling debts. One night after Ji Lin's dances with a customer, he inadvertently leaves behind his good luck charm--a mummified finger in a glass bottle. While trying to return the talisman, Ji Lin's world begins to spin out of control, especially after the owner of the charm turns up dead. Another important character in the story is Ren. He is a young house boy who has 49 days to find his dead master's long lost finger. If he fail to bury the finger with the body, his master's body will wander the either forever. The story is told alternately between the two characters until their lives become entangled later in the story. This novel is interesting on so many levels--it's rich in history, Malayan and Chinese folklore, tradition, family obligation, mystery, and forbidden love. It's also filled with many twists and turns that have left me guessing with only 25 pages left. It's about 385 pages--4 mile run--that you will find hard to put down. Enjoy. 

October 14, 2020 WHEN IT RAINS IT POURS

 

Can you think of anything worse than having shingles??? How about having SHINGLES AGAIN. Yup, when it rains it pours. Had a physical last month and my doctor said--don't forget to get your shingles shot---BUT--I kept putting it off. UGH. I NOW have a MASK of shingles--under my chin, neck, around my ear--it's disgusting. I have a line of them down my face, nose, over my eyebrow, cheek and forehead too. Every time I turn around-- new ones of sprouting. Pretty sure I look like the Elephant Man. It's  SOO much worse the second time around. The PAIN & ITCHING are making me crazy. Believe it or not--I caught it early.  Wonder what I'd look like if I had let it go for a few days. SO--If you're  putting off the SHINGLES shot or the FLU shot--DON'T. Now I can't get a flu shot until the shingles clear up. Next thing you know--I'll have the FLU. Dear Lord, NOOOO. By the way, shingles is brought on my STRESS. And the stress is real--Teaching through Covid is a nightmare. Talk about nightmares, Detective Vera Stanhope walks right into one in Anne Cleeves new mystery The Darkest Evening. Although this is the ninth book in the Stanhope series, this is the first one that I've read and I look forward to reading others. In this novel, Vera Stanhope is driving home to Northumberland during a blizzard when she gets lost. While trying to find her way, Stanhope comes upon an abandoned car that has clearly been in an accident. When Stanhope goes to investigate, she discovers a baby left alone in the car. Stanhope decides to take the baby to the nearest home which turns out to be her father's childhood home. When she arrives at the home which is called Brockburn, a Christmas party is in full swing. Minutes later, a dead body is found on the property and detective Vera Stanhope and her team come to the rescue. This is a good detective story with plenty of twists and turns as well as red herrings to keep you guessing until the end. Its about 384 pages --or a 4 mile easy read that will take your mind off of your worries. Enjoy.