Kate is alive!

If you are a fan of the Kate Shugak series, you’ll remember that her fate was uncertain at the cliff hanger end of the previous novel. And then we had to wait four years for this latest book to tie up all of the loose ends. In the opening pages we find out that Kate did indeed survive, but then she immediately disappears with no apparent word to Jim, the Aunties, or most anyone. Eventually Kate reappears when a group of orienteers trek past the remote Alaskan cabin that belonged to Old Sam where she has been staying for months to heal. Events ensue that cause Kate to return to civilization to solve yet another crime. But is she...

Malcom Gladwell has a gift for weaving a compelling narrative.  In his bestselling nonfiction book, Outliers, he tackles the complicated subject of success, taking a special interest in those individuals who lie on the outside of what is considered to be normal, i.e. the outlier.  Gladwell delves into the question of why some people have remarkable success while others of equal or even greater ability fail to ever reach their full potential. Conversely, he points out how disadvantages can actually be the best catalyst for success. What are the factors at play that make a person successful?  Is it genius?  Is it drive? Or could it be...

A recent trip to Washington DC made me decide to re-read a couple of mysteries I had enjoyed in 1980's.  Margaret Truman's Murder on Caiptol Hill was an easy read, with reasonably good descriptions of places I had just seen, but I found the story to be bit clunky.  The characters felt stock and not fully fleshed out.  I'm not sorry I did some re-reading, but they seemed more entertaining in 1981.

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This review was NOT influenced by mother's chilly encounter...

I'm about to head out on an oversees trip and packing is always a source of anxiety and worry for me before big trips like this. So I was very happy to see this title among the Library's new books and checked it out straightaway.

This compact little book is full of lots of practical advice for efficient, hassle-free packing and includes blank packing lists at the end to photocopy and have on hand for future trips. I took lots of notes and really needed the sample packing lists.

I still need to carefully consider and plan what clothing I will pack, as my wardrobe is not as well-defined and composed as the author's own wardrobe seems...