BOOK 36: West With the Night, by Beryl Markham

Rating: 5 stars

Cover synopsis: The story of Beryl Markham--aviator, racehorse trainer, beauty--and her life in the Kenya of the 1920s and '30s.

This is the sort of book that I wanted to read quickly so I could find out what happened on Markham's many adventures, but I also wanted to read it slowly to savor the beautiful writing. I found myself stopping to re-read sentences and paragraphs outloud, just to hear the prose roll off my tongue.

This book is a delicious bit of time travel, to an era when the world was ripe for discovery. Both on the African and aviation front.

I enjoyed reading about a strong-willed woman in such a peculiar setting and interesting time. I was left with the impression that my life is dreadfully boring! Truly a fascinating woman and a beautiful book.

BOOK 35: The Best of Colored Pencil III, by the CPSA

Rating: 3 stars

Cover synopsis: Showcases over 200 illustrations in full-color by the best colored pencil artists in the country.

Beautiful drawings. But this book is just a showcase. It gives no details on technique or inspiration, like books IV and V in the series give us. Still, a lovely book to flip through for ideas.

BOOK 34: The Illustrated Man, by Ray Bradbury

Rating: 4 stars

Cover synopsis: Bradbury presents himself as a nameless narrator who meets the Illustrated Man--a wanderer whose entire body is a living canvas of exotic tattoos. What's even more remarkable, and increasingly disturbing, is that the illustrations are themselves magically alive, and each proceeds to unfold its own story.

This is a wonderful collection of short stories by Ray Bradbury. I've never considered myself a great fan of science fiction, but I find that the more I read of it, the more I can find to like in it. These stories, for instance, although they were mostly written in the 1940s and 1950s, are just as timely today as ever.

Although the stories take place in different worlds, different times, and with much different technologies, they still ring true to me -- a housewife and mom. They speak to the human condition, touching on themes of love, religion and loyalty, as well as the dangers of our dependence on technology, as well as the error of pride.

Some of my favorites: The Veldt (virtual reality gone awry), The Other Foot (a poignant examination of race and forgiveness), The Rocket Man (a tale of a father who's real love is space), The Fire Balloons (religion on Mars), Fox and the Forest (an interesting take on time travel), Zero Hour (the Martians find impressionable allies on Earth), and The Rocket (a father goes above and beyond to create a happy memory for his children).

BOOK 33: Of Mice And Men, by John Steinbeck

Rating: 4 stars

Cover synopsis: The tragic story of the complex bond between two migrant laborers in Central California. They are George Milton and Lennie Small, itinerant ranch hands who dream of one day owning a small farm. George acts as a father figure to Lennie, who is a very large, simple-minded man, calming him and helping to reign in his immense physical strength.

Somehow, I made it through school without ever having to read this book. But....Wow. Wish I had read it sooner. It's a well-crafted story that definitely makes you think.

Had to dock it a star for language, though. Dang it, Steinbeck! You can have colorful characters without stooping that level.

BOOK 32: Crossing to Safety, by Wallace Stegner

Rating: 2 stars

Cover synopsis: Tracing the lives, loves and aspirations of two couples who move between Vermont and Wisconsin, it is a work of quiet majesty, deep compassion, and powerful insight into the alchemy of friendship and marriage.

I wanted to like this book more than I did. I can see why others like it -- it's well-written and insightful. And I admire the premise of writing a novel that focuses on two quiet ordinary lives. But unfortunately, it just didn't click with me. I didn't care about the characters or what happened to them. Which is fine, I suppose, since nothing really interesting does happen.

I enjoyed the book more in the first half, and I jotted down a few insights on friendship that I liked. But then it just seemed to drag. This could have been a much better novel at half the size. Now, onto something more exciting!