The best Christmas I remember is the year when I was around 10 or 11 and I got 12 Nancy Drew books.  I had two sisters but one was 13 years older and the other 9 years older, so it was almost like being an only child.  And I used to read a lot.  My mother didn't drive so starting around 10 I was given bus fare and took the bus to the library.  The library had a really large children's section and the librarian used to help me pick out books she thought I would enjoy.

I just finished Mary Trump's book about the Trump family.  It is not a gossipy book.  She is a clinical psychologist and explains much about the President and how he was treated differently (much better) by his father than the other four children and how that affected him.

I've just placed a Hold on Mary Trump's book.  I'm #267 on the list!!!!
Also placed a Hold on "The Art of Her Deal',  a biography of Melania Trump.  I'm only #3 on that list. 

Otherwise, I'm reading "light fiction" - have a couple by Nicholas Sparks and "The Shakespeare Requirement", which is a sequel to "Dear Committee Members" - both by Julie Schumacher.  Blurb to "Dear Committee Members" reads:

Jason Fitger is a beleaguered professor of creative writing and literature at Payne University, a small and not very distinguished liberal arts college in the midwest. His department is facing draconian cuts and squalid quarters, while one floor above them the Economics Department is getting lavishly remodeled offices.

Have just started "Shakespeare...", which begins as the Economics Department has moved into its remodeled space.

I loved Nancy Drew and thought her car and boyfriend were SO glamourous!  Still have my copy of "The Quest of the Missing Map".
I read the Mary Poppins books before Nancy Drew and rather liked her "pompous" attitude.  Those and the line drawings of MP surely don't look sound or look like Julie Andrews!

I loved Nancy Drew too.  JoanK and I ended up with a complete collection.

The Nancy Drew books certainly were popular.  Those along with the Little House series were among my memorable reads. Bless Streeter Aldrich was another author that I enjoyed  back then.
   The Ocean Boulevard gave me a little kick start with reading again.  A friend recommended another story recently that I'm reading now.   It is Thunder Dog by Michael Hingson.  This is a memoir.  Michael was blind from infancy and the story tells a lot about his experiences as a blind person and with the various guide dogs.  He and his dog were working in the Twin Towers on September 11 when the plane crashed into their building.

Jean,you mentioned reading Mary Trump's book.  I saw her briefly on a news show today.  How long before she will be discredited?

I hope that those of you who live in "hot spots" are able to stay safe.

I did get a kick out of reading, By the Light of the Study Lamp.  I have a number of other  series books from my childhood, and may take a look at those also.  It remember The Haunted Bridge and The Whispering Statue, were two of my favorite Nancy Drew's, and I have them both, along with  Cherry Ames, Senior Nurse. 

I will also be looking forward to reading the book by Mary Trump.  True accounts of super wealthy American families are fascinating, and all surprisingly similar in structure.  The Kennedy's, of course, come to mind.  Lots written about Joe Kennedy, how he made his millions, and now he treated his children.  Certain ones picked to be in the spotlight, and others treated poorly.  The Rockefeller's were similar. 

Other mega-rich family patriarchs, who are still alive and "running the show", are Rupert Murdock, and Ted Turner.   Both have been married numerous times, and have lots of adult children, and lots of drama going on behind the scenes.  Anyone interested in this type of family, be sure to watch the HBO series, Succession.  Strong, smart, sociopathic father, married three times, with four adult children.  Each one scrambling to be the one who is chosen to sit on the throne, when the old man dies.  (Which he has no intention of doing!)

Speaking of books about the famous and very rich brought to mind The Captains and The Kings by Taylor Caldwell.   I read it years ago at a time in my life when I hadn't given too much thought about those who make many of the decisions for our country and in fact our world.   I was impressed with that story and have thought of it often since in regard to some of the things that have happened since.

I don't think I will bother ordering any of the Trump Women Books. Mary's may have lot of truth in it but but so much denied  and for his Wife. She has not been in the country long enough to know anything other than what she has picked up since marrying him. This was about when she came in . Had gotten a Visa to go into Canada and so I am sure he helped in Getting here into the US . She even go her citizen ship with in a year. Suppose to be five. Got a visa for her parents. Same thing. You know that hers has been Ghost written.  She always looks so sad and has a hard time holding his hand. I would say that she will be out of that Marriage soon as he is out of office. I think she is that smart..

I tend to agree Jeanne.  Actually I thought that Mary Trump (author) looked kind of sad during her interview on TV.   Had to wonder why.

Susan Wittig Albert has a new trilogy of novellas.  I bought the first one "Deadlines" ($3.99) and the other two will be out in a few days and next month.  Three different stories about a newspaper reporter in Pecan Springs, TX.  i enjoyed it and will get the other two when Amazon has them.  Albert also had an earlier trilogy of novellas about Ruby, the interesting owner of Crystal Cave.  All the characters in these novellas are set in the town of Pecan Springs, TX.

maryc - Interesting you should mention Taylor Caldwell.  I remember my mother reading Dynasty of Death, and then, The Eagles Gather.   It must have been the mid 1940's?   Both books were still in their  bookshelf, when we cleared out their house in 1991, after my father died. I remember my Mom saying that "D of D", was one of her favorite books, and she thought I might like it also.  I never read it, but now that you mention Caldwell, it reminded me, and I intend to order it from my library . . .  as well s "Eagles", and The Captains and the Kings.  I think a couple of her novels were made into movies? 

Jean - The trilogy of novels by Susan Wittig Albert, sounds like some that I would like.  I enjoy stories about newspapers, reporters, etc.  Probably because I was a journalism major in college, and loved newspaper work.  I'm still a "news junkie", after all these years.

I watched a trailer last night for Foundation. Yep, AppleTV is doing a series based on Asimov's trilogy. They have guts for tackling that one, I think. I remember reading that eons ago but cannot remember a thing about it. I don't think, when I read it, I fully understood what was going on.

Meanwhile, I left Peter Theroux in Japan even though he still had to take the Japanese trains and then back through Russia. His narrative while interesting reading was exhausting. He seemed only to stop at a place if he had to, preferring to ride decrepit trains through countries (and the people) he had little nice to say about. So now I am back to reading A Splendid Exchange at least up to and including the time period encompassing the "Great Game" and "British Raj" periods before going on the The Anarchy. The Last Mogul is back on my wish list at the library until I finish those two. Then I can finish the rest of A Splendid Exchange which I assume goes pretty much up to recent times.

I should probably also continue to listen to the Silk Road history just to keep in the historical period, but like I said before, it is dense and requires more concentration. For a break, instead, I have a SciFi post-apocalyptic to veg on.

I finished Michael Hingson's book,  Thunder Dog and recommend it.
  Just as I finished that book a friend brought me  another by Jojo Moyes.  This is The Giver of Stars.   If you read and liked The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek you will really enjoy this.  The story is very similar though set in a different Kentucky mining town in  the '30s with a  different group of people.

Maryc - Since my post where I mentioned remembering Taylor Caldwell, I've tried to find any of her books, at either of the two libraries I have access to . . . City and County.  Neither one has a copy of any of her novels.  I thought. for sure that there would be a copy of The Captains and the Kings, out there, as well as the other two I mentioned that my mother liked.  I suppose they're only available now at used book store, or antique stores that have a book section. 

I'm wondering how you liked The Giver of Stars, by JoJo Moyes?  I gave that one to my granddaughter last Christmas, and she liked it.  She had already read Me Before You. 

I'm really stalled on my reading.  Our libraries are still closed, and my enthusiasm for reading has dwindled.  I've reread most of my old favorites like My Antonia, by Cather,  and Fried Green Tomatoes, by Fannie Flagg.  I still have a couple of Anne Tyler novels to reread, as well as last years favorite, The Dutch House.

I think if anyone wants Taylor Caldwell books, try Half-Price Books; also HPB Marketplace (you can usually find anything there; or Thrift Books on line, they are excellent, as is Alibris. I have found books on some of those sites that nobody had.  Some of them are "free shipping" some are not.

Read the posts about Taylor Caldwell and was curious to know if the OKC Metro Library had any in e-book form.
Indeed it does!!!!  There are eleven Taylor Caldwell books available in either e-books or audio books.  Wish I could give you a link but you'd have to have this library card.

Been a long time since I've read any of her books and I can't even remember the titles but I remember I liked them.  Maybe I'll begin putting these on my Wish List - which is growing to the point of keeping me busy for a very long time!

Just finished a memoir by Sonia Sotomeyer.  It's very wordy and was TMI (IMO) about her years growing up in a Puerto Rican family in the Bronx.  I actually skipped several chapters to get to the ones telling about her becoming a judge. Even those were full of minor details and she ends the book with her appointment to the Supreme Court. Can't really recommend it unless you're very interested in her.
 
Now I'm working through one by Nicolas Sparks, Debbie MacComber's newest one and the last of a series by Kay Correll.  The last two are very similar - girl has bakery/cafe on island/in small town - meets "new man in town" - one or the other resists the mutual attraction - etc. etc.  Won't take me long to finish both of them.

Happy Reading

Callie - You made me laugh, with your comment on the Debbie MacComber and Kay Correll books.  So true about the similarity in plot, in so many many books, written in recent years  When our heroine meets, "new man in town", they initially have a misunderstanding about something, that keeps them in conflict. Do you suppose that they will finally resolve their problem,  get together,  and live happily ever after??  I wonder?       

Thanks for the info on the Taylor Caldwell books.  I looked on eBay, and see that there are dozens of her novels for sale starting around $14.95 for medium condition, and going up to $29.95 for excellent condition.  I think not!    I will check my County library, and probably will find that they also will have a selection in e-books and audio. I prefer an actual book, but will read on my Kindle, if necessary.  As I mentioned at the beginning of the pandemic, AJ confiscated my Kindle, and he still has control!   In the meantime, I got a message from my dil, that she is bringing over a bag of books.  Hoping there will be some good ones!     

I just checked both large libraries in my area. I have card. Neither one have any Tayler Caldwell books listed. I know at one time   the did because I use to read them. If I asked thy would most probably Get one on Tape or to read on Ipad. Have lots of books to read but would have been nice to maybe re-read one of the Caldwell books. Sure a high price on Amazon. I found one of my favourite books from my young days that had long gone out of print. Found one in Australia. Just to expensive to purchase.

Marilyne, Almost every book set on a beach is that way. 
I've also noticed that the nonalcoholic "drink of choice" is always lemonade. Makes me think these people spend an awful lot of time squeezing lemons! 

Have finished the MacComber and Correll books. Just downloaded "New York" by Edward Rutherfurd and a "Cotton Malone" book by Steve Berry.  I enjoyed the Rutherfurd books about Ireland and London.

Had my last "maintenance" doctor's appointment today and now have a totally blank calendar for the next few months because I don't expect my September-May activities to start up as usual this year.  Have a feeling the Bridge Club may just fold altogether. 

Callie,  I read and thoroughly enjoyed Edward Rutherford's New York several years ago.   Sometime after that I came across another story about New York that intrigued me.  It was a tale of time travel but the parts about NYC in early days up against the present time kept me interested especially after having read "New York." (Time and Time Again by Jack Finney) I've only been to the city once on a brief tour so know little about it except for reading but Rutherford's book laid the city out so well.

About the Taylor Caldwell books....I wonder if they might be available through The Gutenberg Project.  It is a good source of older authors.  I have been pleasantly surprised when buying used books.  Sometimes they are like new....maybe over runs??

Marilyne,I almost forgot.....The Giver of Stars.....I'm about finished and waiting now for the outcome.   It's a very good read.  Maybe you can borrow it back from your granddaughter.   

To brighten things up a bit, I've started listening to John Lithgow's book, The Poet's Corner. He narrates the main dialogue giving details about the poets, fond memories of growing up with poetry, and sometimes, how they influenced or impacted his life. He and a bunch of actor friends read various poems.

The other listen is a collection of seven of the BBC Radio dramatizations of Terry Pratchett's Discworld series. What fun!

Otherwise, I continue listening to The Silk Roads by Peter Frankopan. Dense, lots of history not directly linked to the Silk Roads but certainly the events, trade, and ideas that traveled the roads influenced and were influenced by travel along them.

As for reads, I am into the second of a series about a bounty hunter. The series is called The 28th Gate by Christopher Dimond. The characters are interesting, the main character likeable. The novels are presented in an episodic manner. Some of the episode endings let you know that a character will be showing up again later (but not necessarily in the next episode) or that the consequences of the current episode will rear its head later. No cliffhangers though, each episode is a complete story on its own.

Also, I just downloaded my next Lending Library read which is, once again, part of the Galaxy's Edge series by Anspach and Cole.

Still reading A Splendid Exchange off and on. More interesting that Frankopan's book, faster moving, and while not exclusively about the silk roads does include the Silk Road trade since they were the primary trading routes early on.

MarsGal, the Pratchett should brighten any day. He's one of the funniest authors I know of. How many of his books did the BBC do?  Surely not all of them?

I believe the description said seven, however I just reread the summary and last one is from his Johnny Maxwell series, called Only You Can Save Mankind.  The six Discworld books are Mort (which I am listening to now), Wyrd Sisters, Guards! Guards!, Eric, Small Gods, and Nightwatch.

Mars - Thanks for reminding me of Terry Pratchett.  I've read only one of his books, The Color of Magic.   This was many years ago . . . can't remember how long?  Anyway, I liked it a lot, and always intended to read more, but forgot all about him.  I'll check my library and see what they have.  I think you already told me, but I forgot . . . what devise do you use for audio?

Mary - I'll also look to see if they have Giver of Stars, at the library.  I'm sure they do, as all books by JoJo Moyes, are extremely popular.  The problem is, that it will most likely be in soft cover.  They only order paperbacks now, for the popular best sellers.  I like reading them just fine, when they are new, or gently used, (like from my daughter or dil), but cannot stand them from the library.  Soft cover library books,  quickly become tattered and dirty and bent.  I don't enjoy reading a book in that condition!    (As I have mentioned in the past.)

Callie and mary -  I read, New York, by Rutherford, many years ago, and really enjoyed it.   One of those books that I would like to order and read again.  Well documented, fascinating reading.

I think I may have already read "New York" but it was a long time ago and, now that Miss Ellen lives there (or will again - when she goes back after being at home since March), I'll enjoy reading it again.
"The Forest" is the most recent one of Rutherford's that I've read.

Have been reading "Safe Haven" by Nicholas Sparks but the "bad guy" is so threatening as he searches for the Wife Who Ran Away that I find I have to read something else at bedtime so I won't have bad dreams.

 I just finished a story called Yellow Crocus  a first novel by Laila Ibrahim.   Marilyne you might be interested in the author's life as she is a Berkley resident and works as the Director of Children and Family Ministries at the First Unitarian Church in Oakland.  The friend who loaned this to me says that there are a couple more books about these families.   I hope to be able to read them as their story perked my interest in their lives and I'd like to know what happens later.
    I also have an audio book "A Wolf  Called Romeo" by Nick Jans from Hoopla.   That is a true story and promising to be good.

I'd like to thank everyone who played my last quiz and thanks to our winners, Amy, Marilyne, and Jenny!

I have another quiz, A Mythical Creatures Quiz-Name the creature by its description.

https://www.seniorsandfriends.org/index.php?msg=182381

I am reading an old classic, Greyfriar's Bobby by Eleanor Atkinson. Does anyone remember seeing the 1961 Disney movie?

Another Expanse series novella just became available in my hold que, so I will start on that one shortly. The last two "fill-in" novellas I never finished. We'll see how this one goes.

The last few weeks I've splurged on a bunch of e-books and audio-books which were on sale. Sigh! Like I have time to read/listen to all of these plus the tons a already have loaded into my two tablets and the Paperwhite.

Larry and I have been whiling away the days of this pandemic with reading some books written in the early 1900s that I found in iBooks, some free and some 90 cents, a combination of adventure and a little romance.