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Jack Cardiff, one of the great cinematographers of the British film industry, wrote this terrific memoir about his profession, including his love of reading and his curiosity of life in general. I loved Cardiff's excitement at new locations, new hotels, new actors. It carried over to the printed page and allowed me to understand how he could come up with solutions to unexpected problems. Towards the end of the book, he devotes entire chapters to Errol Flynn, Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren, John Huston, Humphrey Bogart, and Katharine Hepburn. All of it kept me enthralled, mostly because Jack Cardiff worked in the golden era, long before digital paralysis made movies boring. Good stuff, highly recommended for anyone who wants to pursue a career in cinema or the lazier ones, like me, who would prefer to read about it all.

This was a real slow start for me. I was very excited to finally be reading Braudel, but it wasn't coming together for me for the first 100 or so pages. That made me feel like an outcast. Others enjoyed this history, why not moi? Perhaps because the history of the Mediterranean took a long time to unfold, but with the sudden end of the Bronze Age, everything started to gallop along. So, overall I give it four stars because I struggled through the first third, but was completely enthralled by the remainder. Indeed, I was upset to discover the book ends with Braudel linking to a next series (to be written by someone else) which never took place. And I loved some of his thoughts. Why did the Industrial Revolution take place in England in the 18th Century? Could it have happened earlier, in the Mediterranean Age, if the migrating tribes hadn't upset the balance? Would we be flying around in personal jet cars now, if it had? So very interesting.

Wordless picture books are not guaranteed to succeed. Sometimes, it does require some words to get a point across. This book succeeds easily where others might fail, simply because of the wonderful imagery from artist Dennis Nolan. This book reminds me of the basic premise that we are so involved in our own worlds, we fail to see those other worlds that exist alongside ours. Really really love this one, but then, I am a big fan of Nolan's mastery.

I liked the book because of Moore's Raise-The-Eyebrow quips throughout. It made the reading fun and made me respect him a bit more. With chapters on Bond cars, Bond villains, Bond style, Bond gadgets, and more Bondmania, it's nicely paced out and kept me interested throughout. In fact, it's the perfect overview of the silver screen Bonds, although with more of a focus on Mr. Moore. Anyway, this is a decent Bond-On-Bond book and meant to be fun. Probably a good coffee-table type of gift book.

This is an intensive look behind-the-scenes at a group of winemakers in the Cahors region of France, where the Malbec grape is king. The author spent several seasons with these passionate vineyard owners to see how they handled adversity and modernity, and the information is data-like in its breadth. Each winemaker had to deal with the now-famous heatwave and drought that brought France to its knees in 2003 (and killed almost 20,000 people). "From red wine to white? Get outta my sight! Red after white, it's a delight." It took me almost three months to complete this book. I couldn't quite place my 'nose' on it, but it just wasn't a read I looked forward to each day. Sometimes I became lost amongst the owners, not sure which point-of-view was in effect. It should have been an absorbing read, but somehow wasn't. The section on the sommelier was the highlight, I probably learned more than in the other chapters combined, so it's not as though this is some great waste. It was all just a slog, as though there was so much data and not enough time. What I did learn: - Makers of Bordeaux are bandits - Cheese kills wine - The importance of oak to wine - No wine is worth $7,000 a bottle - Real winemakers live a life of hard work Book Season = Summer (vineyards on the moon)

For me, there has always been something fascinating about lost ships. I don't think I'm necessarily weird, just that ship disappearances serve to remind us that we have never conquered the oceans. This book provides a combination of history with visual (prints, photos, diagrams, maps, charts) representation of the missing ships. Rather than break up the chapters chronologically, the layout instead focuses upon how or why a ship went down into the Locker of Davy Jones. I would have preferred more info and some of the disasters were not necessarily disasters, just shipwrecks. But this is a good start for anyone interested in maritime catastrophe. Book Season = Autumn (gales of November come a'slashing)

"A man could perhaps and perhaps all day, and not find his way to the truth." I felt as though I walked across a very long desert by the time I completed this book. The prequel to the great LONESOME DOVE, this book required staying power. That doesn't mean the book is hard to read. Quite the opposite. But the title is very appropriate. Walking. Lots and lots of walking. Four different journeys with four different goals with four different leaders. My feet ached and I was sitting down. For me, one expedition too many, but I understand the characters needed to evolve while undertaking dangerous...walking. There is a bunch of Comanche and Apache cruelty and the Texans aren't exactly heroes. Still, it succeeds in establishing the older protagonists in the series. But next time, try riding. Book Season = Summer (relentless sun and poisoned water holes)

The author discovered the subject of this book in a box of letters. Thanks to some amazing detective work, the result is this story of the real life of a 19th-century woman from New England, who endured poverty, war, and thanks to her second marriage, racism. Any book dealing with a life lived against the background of the American Civil War will always get my interest. I enjoyed the journey and it made me appreciate those things which I would normally take for granted. Really, a story of an ordinary woman who created an extraordinary life for herself, against all odds. Book Season = Autumn (forgotten graves)

World War II. Borneo. Downed Plane. Headhunters. Yes, I think this is a story for me! The war in the Pacific was raging as the Yanks were doing the island-by-island conquering when a plane of Army airmen was shot down by the Japanese while flying over the third largest island in the world. Would the men make it out safely? Would the enemy find them? Page-turner. When I started the book, I didn't turn the pages very quickly, as the author had to explain the background leading to the adventures. But the last third turned out to be enthralling, lending an extra "star-rise" to my final rating. What those young men went through, what those un-selfish natives endured, and what the rescuers had to achieve makes for splendid storytelling. Book Season = Summer (stay out of the jungle at night)

Here is a classic book of children's literature. Published in 1865, it was second only to Dickens that year in sales. Written by an American who had never been to the Netherlands before the book was written, it has, apparently, been a much-loved book handed down through the generations. Although I come from Flemish/Dutch ancestry, this book was unknown in my family, perhaps because it is truly an American invention. Indeed, it even contains the story of the Little Boy And The Dike (not Hans Brinker), which is also a pure American legend attributed to the Dutch. Hans is a very poor boy who lives with his mother and little sister in a run-down hovel. They used to have a middle class life with a healthy father, but he fell off a dike and hurt his head. Comatose, he is of no use to the family who must rely on poor Hans for any income he can provide. The Silver Skates are the prize to be rewarded to the fastest boy and girl in the Dutch speed races on the frozen canals. Hans really wants those skates, but his love of family comes first. Although Hans Brinker is the title character, much of the book is given to the journey of a group of local well-to-do boys who skate through the towns, providing a narrative of the various Dutch museums, Dutch traditions, and Dutch food for the reader. It all eventually comes back to the little poor family and the quest for a happy ending. I really enjoyed reading this book and the various adventures that occur, but mostly, I loved the family spirit and the steady get-through-the-day background. As Samuel Butler versed of the Netherlands, 'A land that rides at anchor, and is moor'd In which they do not live, but go aboard.' Book Season = Winter (frozen waterways)

"Audiences are reminded again and again that even while tears flow from the soul, urine still flows from the body." Welcome to Andrew Sarris, one of the top film critics of the last century and the leading American proponent of the now famous director-as-auteur theory. This 1998 publication is focused upon the transition from the world of the silent screen to the height of the talkies (1927-1949). WHAT I LIKED: Sarris put together a nice layout, starting with an introduction to each of the Hollywood Studios then moving through Genres, Directors, Actors/Actresses, and his Guilty Pleasures. I also enjoyed his paragraph-ending zingers. While Sarris was never as malicious as Pauline Kael, he could let loose, too. "MGM, a studio of jackals masquerading as lions" WHAT I DISLIKED: It's a big book. Lots of going on-and-on when he wants to discuss his most beloved areas. I became a bit bored, but maybe others won't. All in all, it's a very good read for anyone interested in the Golden Age of Hollywood. Book Season = Autumn (don't tell 'em, show 'em)

I want to be a Hermit Crab. No mortgages, just move when you want a new dwelling and take it over. I like that. Pagoo (short for 'Pagurus') is a Hermit Crab. When he is born, he is no bigger than a tiny pencil dot. When you start life like that, the odds are not good. But Pagoo is one of the fortunate, not eaten by predators and growing by the minute. This is a wonderful book to teach any child or adult about tide pools and, of course, Hermit Crabs. As I age, the less strenuous activities become more attractive. Sitting on a rock gazing down at a tide pool is now more fun, and safe, than swimming in a cold ocean. With this book, I can now identify what I'm actually viewing, all the while cheering on my Hermit Crab buddies. Author Holling Clancy Holling wrote such simple but educational books with a flare for fun. For example, The Landlady of the Travelling Towers is a rather fat Hermit who carries barnacles on the back of her shell, where a still tiny Pagoo hitches a ride. Holling compares this creature to a rajah on an elephant, something I would never even think of doing. The artwork is fetching and the life lessons, taught early to a curious child, will take. Doesn't hurt grown-ups either. "At times some misfortune gulps you down, and you learn only one small thing." I want to be a Hermit Crab. Book Season = Spring (so many shells, so little time)

"A place should never for too long go against its nature." Bohane. Mid-21st century after some un-named calamity which has affected Ireland and, apparently, Britain also. Perhaps the rest of the world? Bohane is a wicked city...think the San Francisco of Barbary Coast fame in the 19th century. Everyone has a game, an angle to play and safety and security are part of the Lost-Time. It's a city that has lived on a diet of hard booze and fat pills against the pain of its long existence. It's where we are heading, now, as we destroy the planet of trees and shelter and clean air. The novel centers around the denizens (I wouldn't call them citizens) of the town, none of whom seem to have any redeeming characteristics. Over it all is Girly Hartnett, a 90+ year-old tough-ass octogenarian whose son is the head of the toughest gang. "Girly liked old movies and menthol ciggies and plotting the city's continued derangement." Girly is whacked. Ya sketchin'? The first 63 pages were agony for me. I've never been a reader who can tolerate dialects and Cagney-esque rapidfire exchanges. Then I hit page 64, and the world opened up for me. Yeah. Kick a plan then the sky burst. Bohane is Mad Max. Bohane is Digible Planets. Bohane is Miles. Bohane is the Beats. Bohane is Oliver Reed in 'The Damned'. Is it Joyce for the here-and-the-now? Can't speak to that, but what a ride. The last chapter keeps the visual and musical vibes glowin' with a wild 'West Side Story' montage coming to mind. Yeah. Snazzy, no? Book Season = Winter (freestyle morphine jazz)

A fascinating read. These were the shark attacks which inspired JAWS. Taking place in 1916, the sudden violence shocked the East Coast of America especially since some of the victims were killed in a creek. A creek! I had to read some of it while peeking through my fingers. It reads like a movie, in fact, giving us the victims' backgrounds and the mindset of the whacked-out White. Thriller. One more thing. Never, ever swim with a dog. Pure shark bait. Book Season = Summer (safety is never really at hand)

If I could only choose a handful of books to share with a wee child, this collection would be on the list. It not only takes care of several different genres, but more importantly, it combines the imaginative artwork that always stay with young minds. I don't think any child, or adult, will get bored when one can choose from so many different selections. Just about the perfect bedtime storybook. Sleep tight. Book Season = Year Round (sense of wonder)

"I think people should be ghosts first. If we were dead before we were alive, we'd appreciate it more, wouldn't we?" Victorian England. Smokestacks spewing smog. Derelict buildings. And ghosts. So many ghosts, there is a bureaucracy of several levels, where these 'beings' file papers and work to control rogue ghosts, those who scare humans without permits. But not all is well with the London ghosts, for they are disappearing thanks to a deranged exorcist. Someone has to discover the reason and solve the loss of the missing entities. Great idea for a book. There's a Jack the Ripper character and even an exchange between a criminal named "Bill" who is worried that his partner-in-crime will spill the beans on him. Bill Sykes and Fagin, anyone? Yes, a little dash of Dickens doesn't hurt. There are many characters here and it's a fun read with very short chapters focusing on specific characters with the latter part of the book tying everything together. Originally, I had added this to my Children's shelf, but the opening of the book shocked me with a rather descriptive murder that wouldn't work too well with kids, except to give them nightmares. It's an addicting read until, bam, everything gets tidied up in two pages. Whoa! Way too fast for me. Still, I enjoyed the motivations of the ghosts who live in a sort of purgatory until they hear the Knocking. But I certainly loved the physical book. How could one pass by such a wonderful cover? And it's bound by Worzalla in Wisconsin and typeset in 12.5-point Mrs Eaves...yes, that's a real font. The overall design by Maria T. Middleton is marvelous and the reason for holding the printed version instead of an e-version. This is a decent Halloween treat. Book Season = Autumn (dark nights atop sooty chimneys)

This is a "just-right" book. Not too big, not too small, but just right. I loved: 1. Treacle fudge that cements jaws together. 2. Explanation of Quidditch. Rowling has some imagination. 3. Slugs coming out the mouth. No child could yell 'yuck' as I did. 4. The Sorting Hat reading minds. I will ALWAYS love that. 5. Moaning Myrtle. Ah, the list could go on forever. It was quite fun to be able to read this as an adult and knowing it was waiting for me as my nightly read, which made the day move so much quicker. Book Season = Autumn (to me it's always October in Potter's world)

The Korean War is sometimes referred to as the "forgotten war" of the 20th Century. The casualty rate was high and 21 countries of the United Nations fought for the South, yet it inevitably gets passed by in the lapse of memory. This book concentrates on the main man in that war's spotlight, Douglas MacArthur, showing it to be both his high point (Inchon) and his low point (forced retirement). "This is the damndest war. We can't win, we can't lose, and we can't quit." I found this to be a fascinating book on a fascinating topic. It's not necessarily a tell-all on the Korean War, for which there are more specific books, but it is a telling bio on Doug MacArthur at that time in his life and how even he could not bypass the American President. The author shows that Mac was unprepared and ran the war from his residence in Japan, where he was revered. The fact of the matter is that MacArthur never spent a single night in Korea. He ran the Korean War as though he was running a large corporation where the CEO rarely mingles with his employees. Weintraub has done a buttload of research here with the results of not only showing the full range brilliance and limitations of MacArthur, but also showing the nutbucket Mao, who didn't think twice about sending his people into war, because after all, China had "so many". Stalin played everyone like a puppet, letting China take the hits, while Truman finally put his foot down and called the Emperor General home, where MacArthur eventually faded away. And Douglas MacArthur learned a harsh lesson. All glory is fleeting. Book Season = Winter (frozen rations)

"High up in the mountains lived an old, old Tigress who had been on Earth so long that she had mastered the art of transforming herself into an old lady." The Emperor of the Jungle as an old woman? Hooked. The Auntie Tigress tale is the centrepiece of this book, but there a total of three stories here with majestic illustrations from the great Taiwanese artist, Eva Wang.This is a lovely edition published by the always reliable Purple Bear Books team. I enjoyed these Chinese tales and the Wang illustrations are outstanding. Special. There is also a notes section to explain some of the items found within the stories. Excellent addition to any family's library and helpful in explaining another culture to young ones. Book Season = Spring (when tigers go a prowling)

I couldn't resist picking up this book which tells the tale of a rather spoiled orange tabby who believes he is a king because he is treated as a king. His owners are an elderly couple who fuss over the little mouser and in true cat-style, he leaves them (temporarily) to have a little cat adventure. After all, cat owners are just staff! "Dragonfly and bumblebee, I am your ruling majesty. Over birds and mice I reign. This is my kingdom, my domain!" This is a children's picture book meant to be part of nighttime storytime. The illustrations are simple but easily tell the story, and I'm sure little ones up to age 4 or 5 will love it. Book Season = Year Round (it's good to be the King)

"It's always Then. It's never Now." Time, for children, just never moves fast enough. Time, for adults, moves too quickly. The 13 Clocks of this tale sit frozen, "slain" by the villainous Duke. The wicked Duke sets up impossible tasks for the young men who come to ask for the hand of Princess Saralinda, with the result of such men being fed to the Duke's geese. Will the handsome minstrel be next? Is he really a minstrel? And who is the invisible Listen? This is a tale to be read to the youngsters, although adults may also enjoy it. I liked the tale, although I felt a Madison Avenue-type outlook from the beginning, a little too New Yorkish and cynical for my tastes. But the New York Review Children's Collection has made this a tough book to walk past, with the holiday red binding and front cover artwork. For those interested, Neil Gaiman takes care of the introduction. Book Season = Autumn (things that squish in the dark)

Did the mermaids grab Dylan Thomas as a boy and shake him until the words started flowing out of him? I wonder. This was my first bio on Dylan Thomas and chance certainly favored me. Constantine Fitzgibbon has written a fascinating chronological review of the Swansea wordmeister but has done so with the clarity of a true friend. We get the soft side of the poet along with the showy drunk who turned it on for friends and strangers alike. The constant scrounging for money, the inability to stay focused for long, and the ever-yearning need to be somewhere, anywhere, from where he was already. Fitzgibbon's style matches wonderfully with Thomas's life. There are snippets of Dylan's poems, but this is truly a life review. Letters are printed in full and Fitzgibbon's honesty about the demise of Dylan Thomas is not filled with envy, just simple truth. This 1965 edition is also different. Real paper! Not the thin recycled bit or the heavy gloss of Chinese mass printers, but paper that won't bend or tear despite my usual clumsy efforts. I would rub the pages each day. Whatever tree produced such heartiness was a good tree indeed. Book Season = Autumn (chips by the sea)

Barry Moser is, in my little ole opinion, the greatest engraver of book artwork living today. His pictures alone tell the story and his original Pennyroyal Press runs are simply priceless. Here, he writes rather than illustrates, and while the result is not as fabulous, it's quite worthy. These are collected essays describing his thoughts, politics, and family background. The theme is highlighted throughout the book, and it is Persistence. Indefatigable energy. The habit of work. Moser's love of the printed page comes through very strongly. He loves making books, he loves reading books, he loves illustrating books. Books, books, books. There is talk here of incunabla, those books printed before 1501. There is the grunt work he endures to create those florid prints of mystery and magic. There is the consequence of spending your life engraving wooden blocks (loss of hearing & carpal tunnel). Again, this is NOT a book of his artwork, rather his written thoughts. When he veered into politics (just slightly) and a love affair, it felt a bit uncomfortable, but his overall process on how to be an artist was intriguing. It certainly made my secondhand bookshops trips more filtered as his books now add on to the evergrowing list. Book Season = Year Round (move the sun)

"Food Makes people happy, it takes you back home, it says so many things that words can't say." Food and the joy of eating act as the central motif of this bio, with Loren using the sounds ("pippiare") and scents of good cooking to explain her memories to the rest of us. Her darkest days were in WWII Italy, where food and trust were scarce, but the simple things in life made her happy. From there, it's a journey toward the stars, as in the silver screen. Nothing strenuous, no holding-a-grudge nastiness, just a basic review of life. I believe this is her second autobiography, so her children get a big focus toward the end of the book. I liked the book. No heavy lifting to be sure but still a decent overview. If you are looking for controversy, there is none to be found. She doesn't go too deeply into her affair with Cary Grant and when she is a passenger in a car that kills a person riding a Vespa, there is less than one paragraph about the incident. But there is food and cooking and, well, this book will make you hungry. Book Season = Summer (urnata 'e sole)

This is an intensive interactive read for anyone curious about changing their life, their career, their anything. The author has created a journey, so to speak, to get the reader focused on a goal. This book is also an excellent read for basic on-the-job project management. There is a section on goal-mapping (quite useful) and a constant reminder to not sit on your butt while reading. I thoroughly enjoyed this, especially toward the middle when the writing turned more specific and a sense of attainability became clear. He even includes an entire chapter on CV/resume writing with several pages of action words to use. I would recommend this book for anyone who really does want to do something different but isn't sure how to go about approaching it. It is much less expensive than paying a career-coach...and it pares well with a good Sangria. Book Season = Year Round (willpower)

Fascinating. Looking at the way stress can overcome the immune system and explaining the process based on actual scientific results had me turning the pages faster than usual. I usually get stuck in medical tomes, as the scientific names overwhelm my limitations, but the subject matter here was different. Thought-provoking but with the facts to back it up (along with a lengthy bibliography). Book Season = Summer (just chill)

The Queen Mum versus the Duchess of Windsor. The White Rose of York (Queen) versus the Red Rose of Lancaster (Duchess). Okay, well it kinda reads like the War of the Roses and the Duchess of Windsor had such angular looks, she could have been a medieval playing card. This story looks at the women behind the men (who were George VI and Edward VIII) and how the two strong women were the driving forces for good (George VI) and, um, not-so-good (Edward VIII). It was a bit confusing in the beginning as the author takes a long time to explain ancestral ties, but then it finally gets rolling. After reading this, if there was any sympathy for the reckless abdicated King, it left quickly with the unveiled documentation showing the Windsors' ties to the Nazis. History got it right. Book Season = Year Round (pull up the drawbridges)

Cedar Hole. Existing somewhere in smalltown USA, neither North nor South, neither East nor West, it is there to symbolize the strangling universes in which each of us exist. We quickly get introduced to the town and its denizens from the very first page. We learn that Cedar Hole has the largest number of severed toes per capita, chiefly because the residents have to mow their lawns three times a week due to fast-growing grass. The adults each get their own characterizations, such as the town slag who is also the town teacher. The dedicated town librarian who yearns for a bigger library. The local cop who doesn't really like being a lawman. It's like Facebook. I loved this book and I even loved the characters, loathsome though some of them be. The end wraps up too many plot lines, though I simply wanted it all to continue (me selfish). The idea that we are where we are and can only see our sphere is a universal tugalong. It's like mowing, I suppose, where the grass is clipped with no stalk higher than the other. Book Season = Summer (snapshots of life)

"Dionysius, the god of abandon, has been reconciled with Prometheus, the god of work." That sentence aptly describes the Bobo. What, you may ask, is a Bobo? A Bourgeois Bohemian. In essence, they are the New Establishment, having replaced the pure Yuppies who replaced the pure Hippies who replaced the Beats who replaced the Old Establishment. Bobo. If Christopher Columbus had been a Bobo, he would have returned to Spain and exclaimed, "We didn't find China, but we did find ourselves". Perhaps you work with one. They have a tendency to wear rugged and very expensive mountaineering gear as their work outfit with highly reflective sunglasses (just in case an avalanche might hit the office). I didn't warm up immediately to this book, but the author's sly sarcasm finally took hold. David Brooks proudly refers to himself as a Bobo, noting all the good things that have come from Bobo-ism (less smoking, respect for the earth, focus on life). We all have a little Bobo in us, I guess. In my life, I am surrounded by them, like leaves on a tree. The book helped me to understand them better. Like a travel guide. Book Season = Year Round (pass the organic beef jerky)

Kojiro Ikegami was a master bookbinder of Japanese hardbound books, a craft he learned from his father. He was a young man during the 1920s, when Japanese texts were copied by hand and the manually made books were works of art. Ikegami brought his own love of this ancient art to this book, which has well-explained instructions and an abundance of pictures to begin the teaching process. I even tried some of this myself, even though I lacked the tools needed. Nevertheless, the results weren't too bad, although I simply couldn't get the hang of the corner pieces. There are many styles included, including Accordion, Ledger, Four-Hole, Flutter, and Casing. This is a great book for anyone who wants to be creative with paper and learn an art form at the same time. Book Season = Year Round (paper rules)

Ellison could write. Words and paragraphs that seem to justify their grandness regardless of subject. Caverns of ideas and slang and history. But there never seems to be a defined ending, so I never really figured out where everything was going. I get the idea that the whole concept is supposed to be about America and betrayal, but it just became a bit jumbled. An epic tale needled down to a more serviceable edition is the easiest way to describe this book. Book Season = Summer (carnivals of memory)

Angus McBean was one of the most important portrait photographers of the last century, establishing his reputation with the English stage stars. In this marvelous collection, McBean's professional work is broken up between stage productions, opera/dance, portraits, and montage shots. They are all very crisp and the detail is excellent. This is long before the days of digital photography and Photoshop, so when he needed to have Vivien Leigh portrayed as Aurora, it meant he actually had to build a real cast of plaster for her dress with pinned cloud wisps placed in front of her. This type of work took days, whereas now we could do it in minutes. This is another great production from publisher David R. Godine. Paper is high quality, the book is a coffee table item without being overwhelming, and the prints were well-chosen, not easy when McBean shot so many pictures. It's set in Monotype Bulmer which looks good against the white background. Very good. Book Season = Autumn (some weird stuff)

This is Mount Everest for readers. Newsweek labelled this the greatest novel of all time. And it's, you know, Tolstoy. But I had a heck of a time making it just to base camp. The characters drove me batty. Natasha. Don't get me started on Natasha! V-A-M-P don't spell Ringo. And Pierre was a turd. Poop or get off the pot, Pierre. The first hundred or so pages flummoxed me with the interweaving of the various Russian families. It wasn't until Tolstoy began his section on military history and the old general Kutuzov that I eagerly turned the pages. Excellent. Anyway, I'm letting my fatigue get the best of me in this review. The battle scenes, the potential serf uprising, the what's-up-with-Tsar-Alexander moments were thrilling, but the family whinging undermined my trek back to base camp. Tolstoy still ranks high with me, just not with this trek. Book Season = Winter (eat the horse meat)

The King of Navarre and his travelling companions swear to stay away from the company of females and it is a rollicking ride after that. Based on true historical figures (Henri IV of France), this is one of the earliest Shakespeare comedies and one of the least performed of his plays. The first time I read this, it was a required reading (school), so as with anything 'required', I paid little heed. Later, when life provided opportunities for voluntary reading, I went back and gave it a whirl and found it far more enjoyable. Rather like french fries, in fact. Book Season = Year Round (lions roar)

Published in 1987, five years after Grace Kelly's death, this book may have been more of a shocker than it is now. Up to her death, Kelly's image was of an ice princess with high morals. As this book revealed, the truth was otherwise, but it really is more of a 'whatever', as it seems the author wanted to make a mountain out of a molehill. Grace Kelly was the daughter of Jack Kelly, a hardworking Irish-American who raised himself to become one of the most powerful men in Philadelphia. He didn't seem to have much love for his shy daughter, preferring his other children. The father's comments throughout Grace's life confirm that he never felt she was the best and ended up surprised that she not only became a movie star and award-winning actress but also, you know, a fairy-tale princess. I learned more than I ever knew about Grace Kelly which isn't saying much as I didn't know anything about her. Her life as Monaco royalty is chronicled here, too, and the gist of the message is that she missed making movies. Or something like that. Standard celebrity tell-all bio written after-a-celebrity-is-dead. Okay. But no Hitchcockian fireworks. Book Season = Winter (ice ice baby to go)

By the time the Great War had ended, the world was a bit tipsy. Perhaps the strongest survivors were the women who had worked in the factories and found themselves with extra money, more freedom, and a yearning for more rights. The 1920s brought somewhat liberated young women to the forefront, as they were the remaining half of the wiped-out generation. This book is really a reflection of that new fast-moving world, as young Lolly Willowes decides to start doing her life the way she wants it done and not pre-war style. Is this how one becomes a witch? And what is a witch in the scheme of it all? Lolly strikes out on her own and meets the Sly One and it's all involved page-turning from there. I enjoyed the economical writing and the fluid storyline. The NYRB catalogue seems to be making its way into my collection because of such wonderful selections and such wonderful printed books. This trade paper was set in Trump Mediaeval, with an elegant frontpiece. Hard to ignore, easy to read. Book Season = Autumn (brooding woods)

Quiet desperation. Lonely lives played out against cups of tea and marmalade. Elizabeth Taylor wrote of the 'silent majority', those (us) who go to work, raise their children, pay their taxes...yet have issues and yearnings, all kept hidden behind tidy front lawns. This is what it is to be middle-class in a 'nation of shopkeepers'. There are eleven short stories in this collection, probably her best. Each story has its own angle, of course, but never far from tea rooms and shy, sheltered living. The oddy is "The Fly-Paper" which is a bit of a horror story. Macabre. Taylor was a lovely writer, extremely under-rated. Crafty prose, clear details, and that constant craving. Book Season = Autumn (hints of darkness)

Newly arrived colonists to Australia called it a 'duck-bill mole'. Europeans believed it was a hoax created by the southern continent's criminal emigrants. In the effort to finalize whether it was a true mammal or laid eggs like birds, the puzzling animal was almost wiped out by hunters and scientists. This book specifically traces the effect the discovery of the Platypus had upon scientists in old world Europe. Although there is basic history and physical description, this is much more of a human story as author Ann Moyal reviews the efforts of each successive naturalist to explain this strange creature and their efforts to find out if the Platypus laid actual eggs. Also, the Platypus has a spur on its hind limb which is venomous. Enough to kill a dog and to make a scratch on a human very painful indeed. Given this extraordinary creature and the way it puzzled the world, one would expect a much more exhilarating narrative. Instead, the story is laid out very scholarly, and I only became enthralled during the last chapter. Very educational, though. Book Season = Summer (up is down)

Paul Colin spent most of his 92 years creating posters for nightclubs, singers, and events. In doing so, he became the 'Father of the Modern Poster'. With his use of reds and dark tones, he painted one-sheets that became famous, such as the poster that launched Josephine Baker (the cover of the book). He was also a stage designer, but his legacy sits with the magnificent works of art for the modern age. This book was like dessert. Berries and chocolate covered with whipped cream. The commentary for each poster is in the front of the book, set aside by page number so the reader can easily look back for information. That leaves the posters front and center on each page as they don't have to share the space with the text. Some folks might purchase the printed book in order to tear out the artwork for framing, but each page is double-sided with another poster, so it would be a waste. Better to admire the prodigious talent in each brushed stroke. Book Season = Year Round (c'est magnifique)

Once again, I am the last in line when it comes to reading a book that everyone else seems to have read years ago. On the days when I brought it to work, co-workers would walk past and comment on it, based on when they 'remembered' reading it. Yup. Last in line. To me, it reads as one of those self-help business books. Find your Personal Legend and life will unfold. People pay money to go to seminars with speakers who go one about this. So, the grass isn't always greener on the other side. But that's okay, because the journey is everything. She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah. Quick read. Nothing special (for me), nothing really bad, but I did get tired of the old men who would pop up to preach the word. I'd rather own a camel. Book Season = Year Round (preaching in the rhythms of life)

Oh, I so admire artistic people. Drawing, painting, sculpture, music, and calligraphy. Perhaps, especially calligraphy which I have always found difficult. When I found this wonderful book on learning to write the Tibetan alphabet, I thought I would give it a shot to see if I could somehow progress a bit further than my previous experiments with the brush. The discipline to make lettering look gorgeous is also somewhat meditative. In this book, you learn not only the Tibetan letters but also mantras, seed syllables, and prayers. In fact, I just enjoyed reading it, hoping I could visualize my way to success. "In this pure realm, surrounded by snow mountains, you are the source of complete happiness and benefit" The author, Sanje Elliott, is a wonderful artist and he brings a sense of calm to the book. I would certainly recommend it to anyone who wants to enhance their calligraphy skills while also learning about another religion. Book Season = Year Round (other side of the brain)

This book is a collection of homespun rules about the weather, some of which do seem to be accurate. In the current age of scientific certainty, it is amazing how the old-timers, through farming and village life, knew what it meant when a certain cloud appeared in the sky. This is a handy book to have on hand when the weather changes and you want to dazzle friends and co-workers with an occasional proverb on wind or rain. The original publication was in 1898, and I would love to have a copy of that book. But this edition is crap. Printed by one of those fly-by-night on-demand publishers, the book is literally a copy of the actual 19th century pages. Someone just scanned into the system, then printed and added a cover. Also, the last pages of the book have sentences that simply blank out, with no ending. Obviously, no one from Yokai Publishing bothered to check. Three stars for interesting weather knowledge and a STARFALL for the lazy modern-day result = dos stars. Book Season = Year Round (the sun never lies)

What happens in Oslo, stays in Oslo. That is why I purchased this memoir by Andy Williams. While I had heard his music and knew him as a famous singer, it was an appearance he made on the radio show, "Wait Wait Don't Tell Me" that had me looking at him in a different way. The boyish tenor had a sense of humor? Okay, let me read about that. Williams does not spend the book dissing his peers or going on too much about himself. The reader discovers that Andy never had great confidence and he mostly dreaded going onstage to perform. As he grew older and more famous, he eventually learned to love his profession and his one chapter on the dark side of his life, when he had to sing in tiny clubs to people who didn't care, showed he made his own luck. Williams had a father who drove Andy and his brothers to perform as a group (they were the Williams Brothers before Andy broke out) and the book compares the stressful situations to the fathers of the Osmond Brothers and the Jackson 5. Interesting. Book Season = Summer (convene to make the scene)

I loved this book. Loved, loved, loved it. There. Telling the story of a surviving coyote pup who is adopted by a woman looking for her own life's adventure, this is a beautifully laid-out hardback with arresting photographs (by the author) and text that involves the reader right from the get-go. How many books are there about adopting a coyote? Actually, it's more than an adoption. Charlie the Coyote becomes a valued member of the family, joining Eli the Dominant Cat, who puts Charlie in his place immediately. The woman, the cat, and the coyote form a bond of trust and loyalty, although there are trials and tribulations along the way. This is not some cutesy tale about a family taking in a stray raccoon or a wounded dog. It is a hard look at the policies currently undertaken by the United States federal government to rid the land of coyotes (in order to protect the sheep and cattle...who are the intruders). It is a hard look at how a man, who becomes involved with the author, has to come to deal with the early accidental death of his little daughter. It is a hard look at the way Charlie starts to misconstrue the relationship with Shreve Stockton. It is a hard look at the boundaries the author decides to tackle in order to save her relationship with this extraordinary coyote. "And when we only believe what has been said before, what has been done before, we give our own power away." Book Season = Spring (share the land)

I sure do have a bunch of books about Frank Sinatra. This tome was published in 1976, when The Man was still very much alive. It aims to be one of those tell-all biographies that ends up being a bit sensationalistic (is that even a real word). Perfect book for summer pool parties or languid days at the beach. "Here's Sinatra, for real, baby! Can you dig it?" Did p