Another Turn of the Page: A Hot, Dry July

jlheuer

Jul 23

"God, it was hot! Forget about frying an egg on the sidewalk;
this kind of heat would fry an egg inside the chicken."
― Rachel Caine

It has been an exceptionally hot summer. The whole country has suffered especially in the south and the southwest. Phoenix, Arizona is in the midst of a three week streak of temperatures of 110 or more. I'm in the upper Midwest and even though we have not hit 100, it has been hotter than we are used to having. Last July we had 7 days in the 90's and many in the upper 80's. This year we have had a few more 90's, some in May, but a new wrinkle was added to the heat and humidity, smoke from Canadian wildfires. When the prevailing winds are just right we get the smoke in our air. Some days the sun is a dull glow in a gray sky. Rain has also been in short supply. The good thing is we have hardly had to mow the lawn. This year instead of planting a big garden down at the end of our property we just did a container garden with two tomato plants, a green pepper, some cukes and herbs. I have to water those pots every single day or the plants immediately wilt. I wasn't planning on that but at least I'm not dragging a hose 100' down to the big garden with corn, potatoes, onions, squash, tomatoes, green peppers, eggplant and green beans, like we used to do. But I'm just reporting, not complaining. I have air conditioning, I leave in a pretty green state where there is lots of water and we have great libraries and bookstores. So if it is too hot to go out, I pick up a book and an iced tea. What are you reading and what's your drink of choice on a hot day?

Jump into the Sky by Shelley Pearsall (2012) 352p. Thirteen-year old Levi, has been living with his aunt in Chicago while his father serves in a secret Army mission (the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion). It's May, 1945, and the war is drawing to close. Levi's aunt decides to send him off by train to stay with his father at his dad's last known address in North Carolina. Not only does his father not know he's coming, Levi arrives in the Jim Crow South without a clue as to the behavior expected of a "colored boy" and almost gets himself killed for trying to buy a Coke at the wrong store. And to make things more difficult, his father's unit has been sent all the way to Oregon.
Song of Joy (Under Northern Skies #4) by Lauraine Snelling (2019) 329p. This is the 4th novel in Lauraine Snelling's series of Norwegian pioneer life in America, specifically in Minnesota. This book continues the story of Nilda Carlson, who is living in Black Duck with her sponsor, Mrs. Schoenleber. Nilda continues to learn new skills and meet new people, and at Mrs. Schoenleber's urging, finding new ways to use her sponsor's wealth to benefit other immigrants.
The Maid and the Socialite: The Brave Women Behind Green Bay's Scandalous Minihan Trials by Lynda Drews (2023) 298p. The title refers to Mary, an illiterate maid, and Mollie, Minihan a college-educated socialite, who both fell victim to the physical violence and mental abuse of celebrated surgeon Dr. John R. Minahan, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Both were accused by the doctor, of having syphilis, a shameful disease. Because there were no tests at the time, Minihan did not have to prove his claims and this could literally ruin the women's lives. But this is the story of how those two women took on the Dr and the male establishment of the time. Note: The Minahan family dominated Green Bay's professional, business, and political arenas from 1892 to 1954, built a college stadium, science hall, and six-story office building—all named after him. Those names have been removed.
The Good Guy by Dean Koontz (2007) 386p.Tim Carrier accidentally intercepts a payment to a contract killer and finds himself embroiled in a chase across the country, as the real killer seeks to complete his contract. As time goes by, Tim begins to realize that the intention of killing the woman, Linda, whom he is protecting, is just a small part of a serious serial killing conspiracy.
Desert Star (Harry Bosch #24, Renee Ballard #5) by Michael Connelly (2022) 391p. In this latest novel, Bosch is again partnered with Renée Ballard who drafts him into her newly reconstituted Open-Unsolved Unit as a volunteer investigator. This gives Bosch the opportunity to dig out an old case he investigated but didn't close.
Cross Down (Alex Cross #31) by James Patterson and Brendan DuBois (2023) 464p. Alex Cross is gravely injured. For the first time, John Sampson is on his own. As a shadow force advances on the nation's capital, Sampson alone must protect the Cross family, and every American, including the president.
To Marry an English Lord or, How Anglomania Really Got Started by Gail McColl & Carol McD. Wallace (1989) 403p. This history of the glut of rich young American women invading Britain during the last decade of the 19th century in search of a titled husband is humorous, informative and gossipy. These brides had the money and but no standing in British society....the groom had social position but no money. Sounds like the perfect scenario but the societal "rules" bordered on the ludicrous and the author provides a glimpse into what was expected or demanded from those who married into the aristocracy.
Travels with Charlie: In Search of America by John Steinbeck (1961) 246p. In 1960, with Charley, his French poodle, Steinbeck drives the interstates and the country roads, dines with truckers, encounters bears at Yellowstone and old friends in San Francisco. Along the way he reflects on the American character, racial hostility, the particular form of American loneliness he finds almost everywhere, and the unexpected kindness of strangers. We liked the fact that he particularly liked Wisconsin.
The Last Anniversary by Liane Moriarty (2006) 388p. When her ex-boyfriend's aunt passes away, Sophie inherits her house on Scribbly Gum Island, Australia, the site of a mystery. She moves there and is soon swept along in the drama of everyone who lives on the island, and everyone has something to hide.
Cabin Fever: The Harrowing Journey of a Cruise Ship at the Dawn of a Pandemic by Michael Smith & Jonathan Franklin (2022) 272p. The true story of the Holland America cruise ship Zaandam, which set sail 19 days before the world shut down in March 2020 because of the COVID 19 pandemic. Little did they know that the virus was already on board.
The Cloisters by Katy Hays (2022) 312p. Ann Stilwell arrives in New York City, hoping to spend her summer working at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Instead, she is assigned to The Cloisters, a gothic museum and garden renowned for its collection of medieval and Renaissance art. She is assigned to do research for an upcoming exhibit on ancient prophecy including a lost deck of Tarot. Lots of twists and turns make this an interesting mystery.