The Butcher’s Boy: A Novel, Perry. Yes. Very compelling first chapter, though it accomplishes that via a device that would get old very quickly.
At first look, copyright looked to me to be 2003, but that turned out to be when the introduction was written. The book is from 1982, which was a simpler, much more innocent time, as it turns out. Mechanically sound (though not perfect), and involving enough that I stayed up way too late to finish it. Michael Connelly’s introduction (which does not give away plot, but does reveal more about the structure than I would) describes it as “relentless”, and that seems fair to me. I shall very likely try Thomas Perry again.
Another delightful time-travel excursion
Again from New York Daily Tribune, May 25, 1842
Baths.–Brooklyn Salt Water Warm Baths at Fulton Ferry, open for gentlement and ladies every day, from 5 A. M. until 10 P. M. Also, Cold, Warm and Tepid Salt Water Shower Baths. These Baths are pleasantly situated at Fulton Ferry, and equally convenient for New York and Brooklyn.
A fun family time-travel activity!
An ad from the New York Daily Tribune, April 22, 1842, p. 1:
Geological Excursions.–Arrangements are made by the Exchange Lyceum for Scientific Excursions to examine and collect minerals, plants, shells and other speciemens of nature, for FAMILY CABINETS, for the Depository of the Lyceum, and for exhanges with other Societies, and with individuals in different parts of the world. Those wishing to engage in them are invited to call the Exchange Lyceum, 343 Broadway.
July Reading
Stickman Odyssey, Book Two: The Wrath of Zozimos, Christopher Ford
Fun, funny, entertaining nods to mythology and odysseys (we finally get the ship Stickos and its crew the Stickonauts). No poop jokes this time, but several fart jokes. A worthy sequel.
The Star Wars Craft Book, Burton
Skimmed rather than read, but I can see why this has had a holds list for a while: the crafts are pretty cool and original. Nothing I can’t live without (though the R2D2 crochet beanie was awfully close).
Hidden Treasure: The National Library of Medicine
Mostly looked at the pictures, and what pictures they are! A selection of historic documents and illustrations from the vast collection at NLM, including some really neat medical lift-the-flap books, early studies of anatomy, and some grisly photographs of early cadaver cross-sections. I’ll have to plan a visit.
Diary of a Provincial Lady, E.M. Delafield
Delightful diary-style comedy from rural England in the 1930s, full of social obligations, village fetes, boarding school, book of the month club and everything. Very funny, I will have to track down subsequent volumes.
The Great American Cereal Book: How Breakfast Got Its Crunch, Marty Gitlin & Topher Ellis
More factoids than history, but fun factoids and photos of neat stuff from cereal collectors’ stashes. An entertaining browse.
Redshirts, Scalzi
Not just a good book, but three or more good books. Well constructed, many threads and many threads woven in. Delightful.
Egg Cream: Both Egg and Cream, Discuss
So you know how New Yorkers are all like, try our egg creams! They don’t have egg or cream in them! So crazy! Perhaps even crazier, here’s a recipe (again from The Standard Formulary) for an egg cream with egg AND cream:
Syrup, Egg Cream.
Cream fl. oz. 16
Syrup fl. oz. 48
Extract of vanilla fl. dr. 4
Yolks of 16 eggs.Rub cream with egg-yolk until perfectly smooth, then add the syrup and flavoring. This is to be served like any other soda syrup, but before handing over, sprinkle a little mixed spice on the foam.
So who wants to blow through a whole bunch of eggs with me?
Protected Speech is Cool, TSA cares about neither speech nor safety
“A judge found Brennan not guilty of public indecency on the grounds that he stripped naked as a form of protest, which is protected speech.”
AND YET the TSA is still hoping to charge him with something, fine him, and keep him from flying forever. Somehow because of safety.
Let’s Pretend This Never Happened Review
Let’s Pretend This Never Happened (A Mostly True Memoir), Lawson. Non-Fiction. For roughly the first third of this book, I kept thinking “This is a pretty bloggy.” This was not a surprise, since the online handle of the author is “The Bloggess,” and much of the material originated in blogdom. Either the effect became less pronounced or I just stopped noticing it. Let’s Pretend did for me what a good memoir does: made me glad that someone is having an interesting life, and similarly glad that the most interesting parts were happening to someone else.
Blogginess aside, I found the writing pleasant; I defy anyone not to be charmed by
… we were young and didn’t know how much it hurt to be shot yet …
Certain to do SOMETHING
I’m browsing through the 1897 Standard Formulary, a guide to how to mix up all of the odd drugs and remedies you could get at the well-stocked US drugstore at the time. Meaning there are plenty of recipes chock full of nux vomica, senna, and good old-fashioned morphine hydrochlorate. I was pleased to run across a recipe that is unlikely to kill you immediately and can be made from things you have around the house (if you’re living right):
Spirit of Horse-Radish, Compound. (p. 137)
Horseradish root, fresh, scraped av. oz. 2
Bitter orange peel, cut small and bruised av. oz. 2
Nutmeg, bruised gr. 22
Alcohol fl. oz. 8
Water fl. oz. 14
Mix and distill 16 fluidounces. -Brit. Pharm.
Nutty Paneer Burger!
Unusually, the first burger chain in India was an indigenous company called Nirula’s, which introduced fast-food burgers and chips during the 1950s. Menu items include the Nutty Paneer Burger (made of fresh cheese and walnuts), Mutton Maniac Burger (with chilli sauce), French Flip Burger (a chicken burger) and Crazy Pea Burger (made from dried peas).
p. 100-101, Andrew F. Smith, Hamburger: A Global History. London: Reaktion Books. 2008.
Here’s a current Nirula’s menu, including a Paneer Tikka Burger, which sounds delightful!
June Reading
Thoreau at Walden, John Porcellino
Porcelino uses bits of Thoreau’s words (oft-quoted, as he notes) and combines them with illustrations to re-introduce the vast silences and observation that was a vital part of Thoreau’s experience. I would totally use this with a teen class.
Goliath, Tom Gauld
Deceptively simple art (but wow, that shading! Blew me away.) with deceptively simple storytelling and heart-wrenching foreshadowing. This one could be a book of the year. Great.
How to Sharpen Pencils, David Rees
Inspired by vintage how-to that waxes lyrical about the importance of simple tasks, it reminded me of my favorite library writers, L. R. McColvin and Ranganathan. What you do can be transcendent and also funny. Much more than a novelty, quite worth a read. Good wine & pencil pairings.
The Gentle Art of Knitting, Jane Brocket
Just as gorgeous as her blog and inspires one to get back to the tactile and visual enjoyment of knitting rather than slaving over (possibly ill-fitting) gifts. Good wine & yarn pairings. Delightful.