2018 Year End Wrap Up!

Courtesy of Eye for Design

Merry Christmas dear hearts.  We are gathering in London this week to celebrate Christmas, the completion of our mystery Brit Trip as well as our armchair travels around the world.  Many, many thanks to Sandy and Amy for guiding us along the Roman Roads through England and providing us with many, many fun rabbit trails.

While we are celebrating in London check out these wonderful Rabbit trails: 

Christmas Dinner, Magical London Christmas, Victorian Christmas, Victorian Christmas Feast, Victorian Christmas Traditions,  Pop ups,  Christmas Markets, and Lights.

During my adventures I went through several pairs of walking shoes and filled my backpack with quite a few new to me authors to enjoy during the new year. How about you?  Please tell us about the highlights of your reading year:

During your travels did you have time to stop and smell the flowers with our Blossom Bookology challenge or explore a plethora of mysteries with 52 Books Bingo?  Did you stay on the detective bus, join the rebel bus or hang around with Bertram Wooster?  Did you remain earthbound or take off for worlds unknown?

Did you reach your reading goal or did you decide to just meander about and follow  rabbit trails and end up getting lost in the enjoyment of reading?  Waving my hand as I lost track halfway through the year.

Where did your armchair travels take you?  Which countries and time periods did you journey through?

Which books stayed with you the longest?  Did you set any aside to read again at some point and savor the story all over again?

Did you discover any new to you authors or genres?

Which books intrigued or entertained, made you laugh, cry, dance or sing?

Share your favorite titles, covers, quotes and of course, your reading lists.

Congratulations and thank you to all sharing in our 52 Books reading journey.  Thank you also to all those following our progress and hope you decide to dip your toes in next year.  Whether you read fast or slow, dabble in classics or romance, fill your shelves with translated books or comics, prefer non fiction or contemporary books, the most important thing is the reading.  I have enjoyed our adventures together and look forward to more fun in the coming new year.

You know when you start to read

The books on your shelf tend to breed.

They expand your horizon 

And fill your house by the dozen.

Fiction, nonfiction, poetry and essays,

Dive in and let yourself play.

Imaginary and not so imaginary worlds fill your mind.

Real life gets left behind.

It’s never too late

Let thoughts cogitate and marinate.

A debate, a discussion

Oh my…a literary concussion! 

So grab a cat, a cup,  a cozy chair,

Never mind about your hair.

Ignore the day and set yourself free,

Blessed be with much love --- me! 

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BW50: Bookish Birthdays and News

Treasure Hunt Puzzle 

It's time for another round of author birthdays and bookish news. We're approaching the end of the year and best of lists are in the news.

Bill Gates narrows it down to the 5 books I loved in 2018

New York Times Critics' Top Books of 2018

New Yorker's Best Books of 2018

Mental Floss's 56 Best Books of 2018

New York Public Library's 2018 Best Books for Adults

School Library Journal's The Best of 2018

Five Books best of for Science, Philosophy, Politics, and Nature.

Smithsonian.com’s Chief Digital Officer Shares His Favorite Books of the Year.

Indigo's Best Books of 2018.

Literary birthdays this week include 

12/09: Poet John Milton and Samuel Washington Allen

12/10: Poet Emily Dickinson, Nobel prize poet Nelly Sachs, and Scottish Fantasy Author George Macdonald

12/11: Egyptian author Naguib Mahfouz and Russian author Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn.

12/12: French novelist Gustave Flaubert and English playwright John Osborne

12/13: German poet Heinrich Heine and American Poet Kenneth Patchen

12/14: Short story writer Shirley Jackson and American essayist Stanley Crouch

12/15: Irish Author Edna O'Brien


Have fun following rabbit trails

Brit Trip

We're traveling on Watling Way to Lancashire.  Lancashire was not recorded in the Domesday Book which makes it one of the younger counties in England.

Rabbit trails: Birds Whooper Swans Lancaster Castle

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2019 Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks

Are you ready for another round of Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks?   Our reading quest began ten years ago and during that period of time,  our armchair travels have taken us all over the world and back again.  This year we are going to ramble and rove around the globe, following multiple rabbit trails. Whether you are a fan of fiction or nonfiction, like to juggle multiple books at once, love to reread favorite authors over and over, explore different genres, new to you authors, or stick to the tried and true, this is the place for you.   The rules are very simple. The goal is to read 52 books. How you get there is up to you.  

We have a variety of challenges including a new 52 Books Bingo as well as A to Z, Chunky, Dusty and Feed Your Muse to assist us in our reading adventures.  

Whodunit Bookology Spelling and author of the month --  Follow in the footsteps of Agatha Christie and her charming detective Hercule Poirot as well as variety of  bookish detectives, sleuths, and private eyes.

Brit Tripping --- A year long mystery read traveling the Roman Roads through England reading reading a book from each of the 45 counties with a few extra trips to London.  (Perpetual)

Agatha Christie  --  read at least three of her books per year.  Read the books in chronological order as listed, group by detective or collection, or randomly if you choose. (Perpetual)

Well Educated Mind --  Continue to explore the classics in 6 categories: Fiction, Autobiography, History/Politics, Drama, Poetry and Science. (Perpetual)

Since it is our Tenth Anniversary, there will be a variety of Ten themed mini challenges throughout the year.  

The mini, weekly and monthly challenges are all optional, Mix them up anyway you like or follow your own path in the quest to read.  

• The challenge will run from January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019. 
• Our book weeks will begin on Sunday
• Week one will begin on Tuesday, January 1st. 
• Participants may join at any time. 
• All forms of books are acceptable including e-books, audio books, etc. 
• Re-reads are acceptable as long as they are read after January 1, 2019 
• Books may overlap other challenges. 
• If you have an blog, create an entry post linking to this blog. 
• Sign up with Mr. Linky in the "I'm participating post" in the sidebar
• You don't have a blog to participate. Post your weekly book in the comments section of each weekly post. 
• Mr. Linky will be added to the bottom of the each weekly post for you to link to reviews of your reads. 

BW49: Frosty December

Welcome to Frosty December!  In our case it's rainy and chilly at the moment which means curling up with a nice soft blanket, a cup of hot cocoa, and a good book or two or three.  *Grin*   Tell me about your favorite comfort read authors or books for rainy or chilly days. 

"The holly and the ivy, 

When they are both full grown, 

Of all trees that are in the wood, 

The holly bears the crown: 

O, the rising of the sun, 

And the running of the deer 

The playing of the merry organ, 

Sweet singing in the choir."

--- English Folk-Carols 

H. Wadsworth, Birmingham, 

1814-1818

Our Blossom Bookology flower of the month is Holly. There are a number of directions to go for this month's challenge. Read one book per letter using either the title and/or the first or last name of the author. Yes, you can mix it up. You may read a book with the name of the flower, color of the flower in the title, or on the cover. Another possibility is a book which takes place in the time period or flower's country of origin or has some cultural significance and/or symbolism of the flower. The choices are unlimited.

This month is full of celebrations beginning with Hanukkah, Advent, St. Nicholas Day, St. Lucia Day, Christmas and Boxing Day, the arrival of Winter as well as Festivus for the rest of us.  And we can't forget the wonderful reading tradition in Iceland - Jólabókaflóð.   

Time to update your Amazon and Goodreads wish lists for the coming holidays as well as next year.  Or pay it forward and send a few reads to new homes.  

Brit Tripping

We're traveling on Watling way down through Manchester.  In the early 1800’s Manchester grew substantially as people immigrated there from Scotland, Wales, and Ireland to work in the growing textile industry. The large influx of working class people gave rise to poverty and discontent and has an interesting history as the meeting place of Marx and Engles. 

Rabbit trails: Quarry Bank Mill  Peterloo Massacre  Chetham’s Library  Manchester Blitz  Anthony Burgess  Literary Manchester  Elizabeth Gaskell

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BW45: Welcome to Nonfiction November

Courtesy of Libraryskills.com

Welcome to Nonfiction November. This month we are jumping into the world of nonfiction which encompasses a wide variety of categories including but not limited to -  memoirs and essays, history and geography, comedy and cookbooks and crafts, language and technology, religion and philosophy, music and art, to law and political science, self help and travel, to writing and reference books.   

Nonfiction is no longer full of dry facts and figures and has expanded quite a bit over the years with the advent of literary or creative nonfiction essay writing which uses the literary styles and techniques of fiction to tell a factual story. 

There are a wide variety of writing books that teach the art of creative nonfiction which includes Dinty Moore's Crafting the Personal Essay and Flash Nonfiction, Peter Turchi's Maps of the Imagination, Jack Hart's A Writer's Coach, and  A Nonfiction Writers' Guide from the Nieman Foundation at Harvard University Telling True Stories.   There are plenty of entertaining, well written creative nonfiction stories such from  Joan Didion's Slouching towards Bethlehem, to Annie Dillard's The Writing Life and Anne Lamont's Bird by Bird.  Can you tell I have writing on my brain today? *grin*  

Take a look at Goodread's long list of Popular Creative Nonfiction reads and check out the variety of authors from Truman Capote, Barbara Kingsolver,  Maya Angelou to John Berendt, Frank McCourt, Neil Gaiman, and John Muir.  Take a look at Esquire's picks of the 40 Best Nonfiction Books in 2018 so far, as well as 25 Best True Crime books, plus Barnes and Nobles 50 Nonfiction Books that will make you Smarter in 2018.

Flower of the month

Our Blossom Bookology flower of the month is the Daisy.  There are a number of directions to go for this month's challenge. Read one book per letter using either the title and/or the first or last name of the author. Yes, you can mix it up. You may read a book with the name of the flower, color of the flower in the title, or on the cover. Another possibility is a book which takes place in the time period or flower's country of origin or has some cultural significance and/or symbolism of the flower. The choices are unlimited.

Brit Tripping

Our Brit Trip is taking us down Watling Way to Staffordshire. 

Staffordshire has a history of being a significant pottery center for centuries.

Rabbit trails: More Pottery  Croxden Abbey  Letocetum Roman Baths and Museum

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BW44: 52 Books Bingo - Elephant on the cover

I have heffalumps and woozles on my mind. One of the things I enjoyed when my son was young was rediscovering Babar and Horton and Dumbo. And in my recent interweb wanderings, enjoyed going down memory lane with 10 Pop Culture Elephants courtesy of mentalfloss.

Since one of our 52 Books Bingo bonus mystery squares is Elephant on the Cover, read a book with a picture on the cover, or elephant in the title, about an elephant as well as explore non fiction reads on conservation, rescue, and research. to history and culture.

“I meant what I said and I said what I meant. An elephant's faithful one-hundred percent!” \ Dr. Seuss - Horton Hatches the Egg

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Brit Tripping

Our Brit Tip on Watling way is taking us to West Midlands this week. West Midlands has been a center of industry since the Middle Ages and the growth of the area exploded during the Industrial Revolution.

Rabbit trails: Coventry Cathedral Back to Back Terraces Cadbury More Chocolate Coventry History Sarehole Mill Wightwick Manor

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BW43: Shakespeare week - Sonnet 43

Sonnet 43

by

William Shakespeare 

When most I wink, then do mine eyes best see, 

For all the day they view things unrespected; 

But when I sleep, in dreams they look on thee, 

And darkly bright are bright in dark directed; 

Then thou, whose shadow shadows doth make bright, 

How would thy shadow's form form happy show 

To the clear day with thy much clearer light, 

When to unseeing eyes thy shade shines so? 

How would, I say, mine eyes be blessed made 

By looking on thee in the living day, 

When in dead night thy fair imperfect shade

Through heavy sleep on sightless eyes doth stay?

   All days are nights to see till I see thee,

   And nights bright days when dreams do show thee me. 

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Our brit trip on Watling way is taking us to Warwickshire, home of a fairly well known playwright - Shakespeare.

Rabbit trails: Warwick Castle at Halloween   Stratford Upon Avon  Kenilworth Castle

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BW41: 52 Books Bingo - 14th Century Literature

14th Century Illuminated Manuscript

One of our 52 Book's Bingo categories is the 14th Century which ran from 1301 to 1400. Read a book written by an 14th century author, set in the 14th century, or about the 14th century.

During the 14th century, the pope transferred to Avignon, France, Edward III became King of England, then claimed the French Throne, the Hundred Years War began, the Scottish win the second war of Independence against England, the Black Plague was rampant in Europe and the Renaissance began.

Poetry flourished during this time period with the father of English poetry, Geoffrey Chaucer, Persian mystical poet Hafez, Hindu poet Vidyapati, and Christian poet Saint Catherine of Sienna. Also the rise of the alliterative verse in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, along with Pearl, Purity and Patience. Plus allegorical literature in William Langland's Piers Plowman, Chaucer's Canterbury Tales as well as Dante's Divine Comedy.

14th Century women writers included Christine de Pizan, Christine Ebner, Marguerite Porete and Julian of Norwich.

Peruse Historical Novels 14th and 15th Century stories ranging from mysteries to the black plague as well as Bookriot's 100 Must Read Medieval Historical Novels which highlights several 14th century stories including Hangman's Blind by Cassandra Clark, currently on my virtual nightstand. Plus check out Goodreads Best Books of the 14th Century as well as Popular 14th Century stories.

Have fun exploring the 14th century!

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Brit Tripping

Our Brit Trip this week is taking us to Spooky London. It is a Book a Week tradition to celebrate all things Spooky in October! Join us as we explore the dark and mysterious side of London.

Rabbit trails: Jack the Ripper, Sherlock Holmes, Bram Stoker, 138 Piccadilly, More Bram Stoker , Haunted London, Unusual Museums

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BW40: Spooktacular October

Hello October. Nice to meet once again. Are you ready to dive into the spooky and spectacular, ominous and thrilling, supernatural and mysterious, suspenseful world of Spooktacular October? So far this year our travels have taken us from the far East to the sands of Africa and down the Roman Roads of yesteryear. Time to jump on board our ghostly ship Portentous and sail with the wind.

My idea of scary isn't blood and guts horror, but psychological thrillers and suspense stories that give me goose bumps. Worlds full of villainous vampires and witches and warlords and monsters, both man made and natural  There's a wide variety to choose from: classic gothic reads to ghost stories to the best of Stephen King and his son Joe Hill as well as King's villains. Check out 21 Psychological Thrillers that will mess with your head, 100 Best Thrillers of all time, or 13 New Thriller Books Recommended by Bestselling Authors

James Rollins, our author of the month, is one of my favorite suspense writers and his most recent novel in his Sigma Force series, Demon Crown, is one that will keep you reading long into the night.

Synopsis: Off the coast of Brazil, a team of scientists discovers a horror like no other, an island where all life has been eradicated, consumed and possessed by a species beyond imagination. Before they can report their discovery, a mysterious agency attacks the group, killing them all, save one, an entomologist, an expert on venomous creatures, Professor Ken Matsui from Cornell University.

Strangest of all, this inexplicable threat traces back to a terrifying secret buried a century ago beneath the National Mall: a cache of bones preserved in amber. The artifact was hidden away by a cabal of scientists—led by Alexander Graham Bell—to protect humankind. But they dared not destroy it, for the object also holds an astonishing promise for the future: the very secret of life after death.

Flower of the month

The Blossom Bookology flower of the month is the Marigold which were the sacred flowers of the Aztecs. There are a number of directions to go for this month's challenge. Read one book per letter using either the title and/or the first or last name of the author. Yes, you can mix it up. You may read a book with the name of the flower, color of the flower in the title, or on the cover. Another possibility is a book which takes place in the time period or flower's country of origin or has some cultural significance and/or symbolism of the flower. The choices are unlimited.

Brit Tripping

Our Brit Trip is taking us down Watling Way to Surrey this week . Surrey is one of the wealthiest counties in England, it has the highest GDP per capita and the cost of living is as high as inner London. That might explain the reason that Harry’s Uncle Vernon settled there with his family.

Rabbit trails: Nonesuch Palace Waverly Abbey Guildford Castle Abbot’s Hospital Emma’s picnic on Box Hill Alice in Wonderland Guildford Tourism Hampton Court Palace

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BW39: September Equinox

Courtesy of imagenes hermosas de todo tipo 

Fall, leaves, Fall

by

 Emily Bronte 

Fall, leaves, fall; die, flowers, away;
Lengthen night and shorten day;
Every leaf speaks bliss to me
Fluttering from the autumn tree.
I shall smile when wreaths of snow
Blossom where the rose should grow;
I shall sing when night’s decay
Ushers in a drearier day.

Autumn is upon us here in the Northern Hemisphere. My favorite time of year. The trees painted with burnished colors of yellow, gold, purple, and oranges. Leaves crackle and crunch underfoot during our daily walks. Crisp cool breezes mix with barbecues, football games and laughter. The promise of rain. Joy is in the air.  It is the perfect time to read a foodie book or experiment with new recipes or modify an old one.  It's also time to for a mini challenge: Read a book about the season. 

Find a book with Autumn, fall, season, equinox, September, moon, night, clock or axis on the cover.  Or with one leaf on the cover, the color of leaves, or in the title.  I think there are about 25 different types of apples including Fuji, Lady, McIntosh and Liberty. Read a book with a type of Apple in the title or one with an apple on the cover.  Even one about an apple.  This is usually the time of year I pull out How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World which has a great apple pie recipe in the back of the book. Delicious. Plus lots of ideas for rabbit trails.  Have fun brainstorming and follow lots of rabbit trails as you explore the Autumn season.  Or Spring if you live in the Southern Hemisphere.  

Brit Trip

This week we're traveling Watling Way to Sussex.  A.A. Milne lived for much of his adult life in Sussex and his Hundred Acre Woods is based upon Ashdown Forest.

Rabbit trails: Virginia Woolf’s Suicide  Battle of Hastings   Chichester Cathedral  Arundel Cathedral Brighton  Rudyard Kipling’s Bateman  Arundel Castle

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BW38: To a Young Lady, With Some Lampreys

Courtesy of The Famous People

In honor of the John Gay, an English burlesque poet and dramatist, born September 16, 1685

To a Young Lady, With Some Lampreys

BY 

JOHN GAY

With lovers, ’twas of old the fashion 

By presents to convey their passion; 

No matter what the gift they sent, 

The Lady saw that love was meant. 

Fair Atalanta, as a favour, 

Took the boar’s head her Hero gave her; 

Nor could the bristly thing affront her, 

’Twas a fit present from a hunter. 

When Squires send woodcocks to the dame, 

It serves to show their absent flame: 

Some by a snip of woven hair, 

In posied lockets bribe the fair; 

How many mercenary matches 

Have sprung from Di’mond-rings and watches! 

But hold – a ring, a watch, a locket, 

Would drain at once a Poet’s pocket; 

He should send songs that cost him nought, 

Nor ev’n he prodigal of thought. 

Why then send Lampreys? fye, for shame! 

’Twill set a virgin’s blood on flame. 

This to fifteen a proper gift! 

It might lend sixty five a lift. 

I know your maiden Aunt will scold, 

And think my present somewhat bold. 

I see her lift her hands and eyes. 

‘What eat it, Niece? eat Spanish flies! 

‘Lamprey’s a most immodest diet: 

‘You’ll neither wake nor sleep in quiet. 

‘Should I to night eat Sago cream, 

‘’Twould make me blush to tell my dream; 

‘If I eat Lobster, ’tis so warming, 

‘That ev’ry man I see looks charming; 

‘Wherefore had not the filthy fellow 

‘Laid Rochester upon your pillow? 

‘I vow and swear, I think the present 

‘Had been as modest and as decent. 

‘Who has her virtue in her power? 

‘Each day has its unguarded hour; 

‘Always in danger of undoing, 

‘A prawn, a shrimp may prove our ruin! 

‘The shepherdess, who lives on salad, 

‘To cool her youth, controuls her palate; 

‘Should Dian’s maids turn liqu’rish livers, 

‘And of huge lampreys rob the rivers, 

‘Then all beside each glade and Visto, 

‘You’d see Nymphs lying like Calisto. 

‘The man who meant to heat your blood, 

‘Needs not himself such vicious food –’ 

In this, I own, your Aunt is clear, 

I sent you what I well might spare: 

For when I see you, (without joking) 

Your eyes, lips, breasts, are so provoking, 

They set my heart more cock-a-hoop, 

Than could whole seas of craw-fish soupe.

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Brit Trip

This week,we begin our final Roman road on Watling Way in Kent! Another jewel of England with a rich history of peace and war. It’s the home of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Church of England. On clear days possible to see France from the cliffs which led to it being the site of the Battle of Britain during WWII. 

Rabbit trails: Leeds Castle, Wilkie Collins, Jocelyn Brooke,  Wartime Tunnels,  Ian Fleming, Channel Tunnel, Dickens

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BW37: Bookish News and Birthdays

The Astronomy Lesson - Steven Seward 

Time for another round of Book News from the Sahara Desert region and Bookish Birthdays from around the world 

Poetry Soup, and other North African Creatives to Watch

The Book of North African Literature: Pierre Joris on Poetry and Miscegenation

The four best African cookbooks that will have you cooking like a pro

From Tradition to Destruction: The Lost Libraries of Chinguetti

Best Books to read about Egypt before you go

Literature Unchained: The Literary Scene in Tunisia Post-2011

Countries and their cultures - Mauritanians

Author Birthdays from around the world

Sept 9:  Father of modern Hindi literature - Bharatendu Harishchandra

Sept 10:  African American Poet and Harlem Renaissance writer - Georgia Douglas Johnson and American poet and leader of the Imagist movement - Hilda Doolittle

Sept 11:  Scottish Poet - James Thomson 

Sept 12: Polish science fiction author - Stanislaw Lem 

Sept 13: British author - J.B. Priestley 

Sept 14: Irish author - Bernard MacLaverty

Sept 15: American writer - Tomie dePaola 

Brit Tripping

Our Brit Trip on Akeman Street is taking us to Somerset this week.

Somerset County is famous among Regency enthusiasts as the location of Bath and was a fashionable place to take the waters. It also has a vast Roman history and Arthurian link.

Rabbit trails:  The Circus  More on The Circus  Glastonbury Abbey  Tarr Steps

Have fun exploring! 

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