Book Review: The Ghost Map

Title: The Ghost Map: The Story of London's Most Terrifying Epidemic--and How It Changed Science, Cities, and the Modern World
Author: Steven Johnson
Format: Audible
Reading Dates: 6 Apr 2014 - 28 Apr 2014
Rating: ***1/2

I wanted this book to be a history book and it started out that way. The Ghost Map tells the tale of the Cholera Epidemic of 1854 and is a fascinating story of science and sleuth. But then author Steven Johnson kept going down these paths--paths of excruciating detail about Victorian London and how crowded it was and how much it stunk and how filthy it was. I wondered all the synonyms that Johnson used for excrement. (You'd be amazed!) It all seemed too much. I kept wanting it to get back to the story's mystery and how it was solved.

And then, when I reached the end, I realized that that WAS the story--the birth of the modern city and all the perils that it entailed and how we are still learning how to live in large, metropolitan areas together as we continue to move from rural areas. I guess next time I need to pay more attention to the sub-title.

The last chapter was really an informative one as Johnson explains the factors that affect modern urbanization and whether, in his opinion, we can survive them. I listened to this book on Audible, and now I wish I had that last chapter in print, so I could take notes. He's got some really good stuff in there. And I'd like to go back and review some of those very detailed sections that I thought were dragging the story and turned out to be the data points to Johnson's main thesis.

All in all an interesting book--I learned something both about cholera and about cities. Recommended.

Book Review: Tender is the Night

 

Title: Tender is the Night
Author: F. Scott Fitzgerald
Format: Audible, Kindle
Reading Dates: 1 Feb 2014 - 4 Apr 2014
Rating: **1/2

I hate it when I don't "get" classics. I read them. I understand the words, but I don't "get" them.

That's the way I felt with Tender is the Night.

The story starts in post-war France with Dick and Nicole Diver playing the Don and Betty roles from Mad Men. Terribly sophisticated, the toast of the town, but with a past. At a certain point there is "an episode" and the story then flashes back for awhile to explain how Dick and Nicole had arrived at that point in time. Without giving away too much of the story, it appears that Dick had rescued Nicole from a traumatic situation.

The present day story then continues as the Diver's marriage crumbles and Dick himself needs rescuing, but it's not to be. Nicole abandons him. (Well, so much for not giving away too much of the story.)

As I read this story I kept going back to the episode at the end of the first of the three parts. I don't understand how this incident caused Nicole to relapse. It seemed so random. The same thing is true of Dick's self-destruction in the last third of the book. What was that all about? You were so perfect, you two! Get over yourselves.

My verdict: I think I need more sympathy for people, but I really didn't like this book much at all.

 

Love is in the Air - Texas Style

I've been iris folding again. This time for a Texas wedding.

 

 

A few pages from an atlas. More from a dictionary. All centered around Houston.

I can't remember making anything that involved glass before. I need new techniques for taking pictures.

But you can see how it stacks up against my earlier efforts.

Every Day is Boxing Day

I am officially in love with box cards from Lori Whitlock. I got the pattern for this one for my Silhouette machine and made it for a friend who just had surgery. Isn't it cute!

 I love that you can personalize them with your own colors--or by using leftover book pages--

like I did here on the box sides...

...and on the flower centers.

And the coolest beans part of the whole thing is that the card lays flat to go in a standard sized envelope!

Now I need to start making my own envelopes, too. 

Adding it to the list.

The Fun of the Hunt

Eggstravaganza is over for another year. And you know what that means. Time to go spend the profits!

You know fate is looking out for you when you walk into an estate sale and the first thing you run across is this book.

I heard angel choirs as I dug deeper and found this treasury...

...all of which will now be part of my estate sale one day. I can't wait to dig into all of them!

While at Eggstravaganza I had the opportunity to see many beautiful displays. It makes me want to up my game the next time I ply my wares. That's why I was really excited to find this old trellis.

It has a beautiful patina...

...and is decorated with scrolled hearts.

The seller even threw in one free S-hook. :)

Which does a dang good job of holding a pretty Easter wreath at eye level.

Know what I'm saying?

Eggstravaganza Countdown: 1 Day to Go

Eggstravaganza starts tomorrow morning!
Date: Wednesday, Apr 9, 2014
Hours: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Where: Klein United Methodist Church, 5920 FM 2920, Spring, TX

That gives me just enough time to show you one more thing. Dragonflies!

Wait, no, I meant this one more thing--a Mr & Mrs book for that favorite couple getting ready to tie the knot.

But wait! What about the new popular baby names series? I need to show you that, too!

And the book wreath--perfect for hanging on the hospital door to welcome that new arrival...

and it has an interchangeable center, like this cute little Easter ducky, so baby can enjoy it for years to come!

But wait, there's more. But wait, I'm running out of time.

Just come to Eggstravaganza on Wednesday and see for yourself! Don't miss it!

Eggstravaganza Countdown: 2 Days to Go

This is what it looked like at my house yesterday.



Rain. Dreary. Bleh.

And here's what it looked like at my house today.



Sunshine!

Admit it. Sunshine is fabulous. Especially on a clear spring day when the temperatures are below 80 and the humidity is still tolerable. April is why we live in Houston.

And sunshine is why I made this book!

Sunshine with a twist! Just to make room for a few other words.

And a few flowers in the corner.

Hollow kusudama. Bright orange with white insides.

All on a bright yellow, sunshiny book.

Available for you in just 2 DAYS at Eggstravaganza!