Dwarf: a memoir

by Tiffanie DiDonato, Rennie Dyball This is the flat out, honest, intimate story of the life of a woman, a warrior in her own right, and it kept me glued to the pages from the moment I opened the covers of the book,  Very shortly after her birth, her parents were informed, coldly and with no information that their newborn daughter suffered from a form of Dwarfism called Diastrophic Displasia. Her parents learned that is form of dwarfism causes a malformation of the joints, and cartilage. From the very earliest days surgery became a part of her life. First her feet and her joints, to enable her to stand. Later, elective surgeries that would lengthen the bones in her legs and arms.  As a very young child, she was of course, not aware of her differences. She was with small children and was small herself. She was very good about learning to find ways to assist herself rather than always asking her parents for help. This was necessary because she was not only small, but her legs, and her arms were smaller than those of a typical child. Tong,s pencils and other household objects enabled her to do many things she would not be able to accomplish otherwise.  Then, something happened on day.. that sent her mother, who by then had gone to school to study nursing, to seek out other and better ways to help her daughter. They found a doctor who could help. The fact that the painful surgery to lengthen her bones to make her legs and eventually her arms a bit longer was explained to little Tiffie and she made the choice to go ahead with it. She did this with the absolute support and untiring help of her mother.  While the surgeries were indeed just as painful and the recovery as difficult as had been described, Tiffany thought it had been worth it. When once again an event in her life caused her to seek out further medical intervention and yes... more surgery, more pain. By this time in her life she had a friend, Mike. He was her friend, her sounding board, her unfaulty door. He was there for her in as many ways as he could be.  Despite the fact that her original surgeon was not enthusiastic about further intervention, Tiffanie and her mom, the indomitable team sought out a way for Tiffanie to achieve her dream. This story is very honest and sometimes graphic in its descriptions of what she had to endure, first as a small child and then as an adolescent. It is an unflinching account of pain endured, humiliation and even isolation. But after her Dad, who at first was not as enthusiastic about her plans came on board, anything seemed possible.  So this is the story of a young woman with more strength, than most will ever have to find in themselves in a lifetime, never mind during the years of their childhood and adolescence. It is a story that will make the reader stop and thing before complaining about the hand life has dealt to them. It is an inspirational and despite everything, it is a story of optimism and achievement.  Read it.. you won't regret it. Recommended

Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power

by Jon Meacham

Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power managed to be an interesting read, and almost exhaustingly informative, without being an enjoyable one. I have read other biographies, other books about historic events or periods in history that were fare more enjoyable and reader friendly than this dry story of an intriguing man.

In this book we are reminded that Thomas Jefferson was almost obsessive in pursuing an education in the classics, the arts and languages, as well as in leadership. He was an inventor of many things from apparently a dumbwaiter to a plow and even the round sundial and a bookstand. Some of these inventions are referred to within the pages of this dreary read. In short, it seems to me that he would be quite the handy man to have around as he was a problem solver and designer, as well as something of an engineer and efficiency expert. Not a bad list of qualities in your every day working man, never mind politician and political hero. One thing that touched me, being a reader was this.
On February 1, 1770, when his Shadwell house burned, his grief was primarily for his library, which was lost in the fire.

Jefferson was passionate when it came to serving his country and caring for his family, which at one point included not just his own wife Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson, who was known famiiarly as Patty, and small daughter, but the wife and children of his brother. His sense of responsibility extended to the households of extended family members, and to this was added the house slaves left behind when his wife's father died in may of 1773.These slaves included Hemings family. The Hemings,Elizabeth, her sons Robert, James and john and his wife's half sister Sally Hemmings, were to serve him well and in many and various capacities over the years. Some in fact were regarded as members of his family, at least in his own heart.

Did jefferson strike a deal to win the presidency? Was a vote for Jefferson, merely a vote against Adams under whom he had at one time served as Vice President? He ran with Aaron Burr as his intended Vice President in his first term. The election was a bitter one.It seems as if political shenanigans have changed little since the early years of american politics. History tells us that Jefferson served two terms, I have to wonder if he did so reluctantly? Among the things Jefferson is known for besides drafting the Declaration of Independence, is his purchase of the area known as The Louisiana Purchase, abolishing foreign slave trade and he was the first to claim Executive privilege He retired from office in 1808, after serving not only as President of the United States for two terms.

He was a man well loved by his family for whom he seemed ready to jump any hurdle or take on any and all responsibility. He was cherished and respected by his grandchildren. After finally reaching the end of this tome, much of which is devoted to notes, which I confess to have mostly skimmed, I find that I respect Jefferson much more as simply a man, than as a politician or President. Not that his political career was a failure or in any way one undeserving of respect. It is more that his life as a family man was so stellar as to, for me, eclipse his public life and contributions. This integrity of spirit is what lent a positive light to his time serving his country while in office as Second Governor of Virginia, Ambassador to France, a position which he clearly enjoyed, then the First US Secretary of State to this newly minted country . He was also Second Vice President of the US, which led finally to his serving as Third President of the US.

Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743, in Albemarle County, Virginia, until his death on July 4, 1826. It seems that to the best of his ability, a last stand as a man in control of his life, he would also have a hand in controlling his death. He questioned the doctor repeatedly during his last hours, not wanting to pass from this life before the date of July the 4th. Oddly, his death came on the same day as that of John Adams.A man with whom he had many differences over the years, with whom he had once been rivals but who in the end had become a friend. The two men having made amends before their deaths. During their later years these two men shared many letters, explaining and clarifying their ideas and their ideals and sealing their unusual connection both to each other and to the country.

The Last of the Bird People

                                                                                      By John Hanson Mitchell

The Last of the Bird People is a peculiar, but intriguing story of a group of hunter gatherers who were found living in Massachusetts in 1928. There was a public works project at that time, construction of the Quabbin Reservoir, in the Swift River Valley. The story began with the disappearance of an anthropologist who had found what he believed to be signs of such a group in the area where the reservoir was to be created. Preparation had already begun, towns had been abandoned, cemeteries had been respectfully moved. The young man, by the name of Minor Randall had become convinced that a group of people had managed to find a way to survive outside of the so called civilized world. He went to Harvard University, and asked them for support in locating and learning about these people. Apparently, the administration there had some serious doubts about his story, and no love lost for Randall. His persistence in his quest for support ended up with is losing his position at Harvard.  Because this had become more than just an intriguing mystery to Randall, but something of a quest, he assembled some food and necessary items for an extending stay in the area where he believed this group to be living. He set up camp and watched and waited. His vigilance paid off in the end, when he was captured by the descendants of Jenna Crow, or the Bird People.  What happened thereafter is what makes up this story. It is a transcript of the deposition of John Barking-Fox, as told to the authorities who took him into custody after finding him near Everglades City in July of 1929. He claimed to be the only survivor of the group who left their home in Massachusetts, led by the man they called Tracker, otherwise known as Minor Randall.  The story is somewhat difficult to follow at first, as it is written in the vernacular in which it was told. This was a mixture of Algonquin, English, French, Portugese and other words never before encountered. Persistence pays off, however as with continued reading, the story flows along more comfortably. It is well worth the effort to learn what Jon Fox has to say and to learn the fate of the Bird People. At least, their fate according to John Fox. (  ) . (  )

Reunion at Red Paint Bay

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by George Harrar

Simon Howe grew up in Red Paint, Maine. Although he left for school and then a job with a newspaper, he found himself going back to Red Paint when his parents health declined. Simon ended up staying. He bought the old weekly newspaper and along with his therapist wife Amy and young son Davey, felt that life was good. And life was good. Red Paint was a friendly town, he knew many of the people there, had gone to school and grown up with them, in fact. It was a good place to raise a family. He led a fairly quiet and stress free life. Then, the first postcard arrived. It mentioned a funeral, but it meant nothing to Simon, who just put it aside and went on with his life. 

A second and third postcard eventually arrived, and a suggestion of meeting with the sender seemed like a good idea. Simon was, after all a reporter at heart, and this was the way to solve the mystery of the postcards. That is when things began to start falling apart. There was a scare involving his son, whose behavior was becoming alarming in addition to the postcard mystery. A new and unusual patient showed up for an appointment, at Amy's office. A patient that showed up for appointment after appointment and whose behavior seemed odd even to someone who dealt with people and their issues every day. Then one day, things got worse. Much worse. 

Who would have believed that a long ago moment in time would cause so much trouble in a carefully ordered life in the present. Certainly not Simon and his happy little family. But a single moment can matter more than he would ever have believed. The paper would come out again on Thursday, and for the first time in a long time, something big would be found on the front page

The Healing: A Novel by Jonathan Odell

This was a five star read. 

In my opinion, a book has to be well above very good to rate five stars.

Life changing maybe, or heart healing,  or something that strikes a chord might

rate five stars.

The story told in this book has found a place in my heart and it will stay firmly

planted there. Polly Shine is one of the most remarkable characters I have met in

any book, by any writer, in my over fifty years of reading.

To be very honest, I picked this book up and read a few pages and then set it aside.

It wasn't calling out to me the way I expected it to when I read the blurbs. I was

frustrated, because I had expected more. Well, shame on me for being impatient. If I

had read beyond the first fifteen or so pages, I would have found my way into this

wonderful story much sooner.

We hear the story of Polly Shine's arrival on the plantation though stories told to

the girl Violet by Gran Gran. Granada was a child when Polly arrived and was chosen by her

because Polly saw the glimmer of something special in the small girl. Granada, who grew to

be called Gran Gran wanted no parts of the woman Polly at first, and in fact disliked her.

She blamed Polly for having lost her comfortable place as the favored "pet" of the mistress.

Children can be so foolish! As time passed, Granada learned to see, she learned to listen and

she grew into wisdom of her own.

I don't want to tell any more, I just want to entice you and let you find the gems that are scattered

throughout this story on your own. Once you fall into the story, you will want to stay, as I did.

The Dovekeepers

                                                                     By Alice Hoffman

Romans defeated of the Jews at Masada in the year 70C.E., and this is the
story of some of the women who were there. Women who had come together to be
the Dove keepers. To care for the animals who were kept to provide eggs and fertilizer
for the crops raised within the walls, and to be spread around the trees. The doves
gave sustenance to all who lived there in one way or another.

Those who kept the Dover were Shirah and her daughters Aziza and Nahara. Shirah
had been born in Alexandria and was educated not only in reading and the knowledge
of languages, but of magic as had been her own mother. Her story, and that of the
birth of her daughters alone, is worth the price of this book.

There is Revka, a woman left to raise her two young grandsons, after the world
as they knew it was taken from them. To say that things were never to be the same
for them is an understatement of vast proportion. Again, their story alone deserves a book.

Yael was born of a woman who no longer had breath in her body and that moment of her birth
was to affect each choice she made and all the days of her life.

These women worked together to care for the doves who were the basis of life
or those who lived on the mountain. Who can say how it was that these women
were brought together, and how it was that they were perhaps the strongest of
all. They carried within them their own secrets, and in the end, it fell to some of them
to carry and then share the story of what happened when the Romans came finally to Masada
and scaled the mountain. Stronger than the warriors, the leaders and in the end, the conquerors.

The stories that were left behind that historic event are the basis of this
glorious novel. They say that there were seven who lived. Seven who survived
months of siege and then attack by the Romans of their people. The Jews who had already
torn from their homelands, and found refuge together on this great mountain. Seven
who refused to die either at the hands of the Romans or of their own people, and
who found a way to live.

Only Time Will Tell

 by Jeffrey Archer

Only Time Will Tell is book one of a new series by Jeffrey Archer.

As anyone who has ever read Archer can tell you, he tends to write

can't miss this one books!

Harry Clifton is a child from a very poor family. His father died

before Harry knew him, and he and his mother live a subsistence existence

in a shabby little home with his mother's parents and her brother. Food

is not only not plentiful, but barely available. A bit of toast and the

leavings in his uncles bowl are all that there is for Harry's breakfast.

Despite all of this, Harry shows himself to be a remarkable child. Although

he is determined not to sit in a classroom, and as often as possible runs off to the docks,
he is a particularly clever and we are to find out, talented boy. He also has good

instincts. Despite being warned away often by his Uncle Stan, Harry befriends

Jack Tar, who lives in a railway car near the docs. Jack is no more than a penniless

ne'er to well, were Stan to be believed. But Harry and Jack become firm friends, and

Jack helps to steer Harry on a path of learning, during their hours in the rail car.

As time passes opportunities com Harry's way. It turns out that he has the voice of

an angel, and this small twist of fate begins to open doors that will improve Harry's

future. What a lucky boy, you say? Well, yes.. but he is also a good and caring young man,

and this too, helps him pave the way to better roads ahead.

Friends are important, and never more so than to a child. Harry's Best friends are Giles Barrington,

who comes from a wealthy family and A. Deakins, who like Harry has had a rough start. They meet in

school and form a fast and enduring friendship. This is yet one more thing that will change Harry

Clifton's life. But nothing will change it more than a decision that Harry himself makes in the

early days of WWII.

I have barely closed the covers on this book, and I am already anxious to see what the next book

in the series will bring. Archer is quite a storyteller. Let his words carry you along...

---

The Lantern

By Deborah Lawrenson

The words are like flowers, as is perhaps appropriate in a story where

fragrance and its composition is nearly a character in and of itself. But

there are moments of casual cruelty hidden within the flowery language. There

is darkness, mystery and and the whispering of the ghosts of lifetimes lived and left.

He called her Eve. They met in the depths of a labyrinth and that too, was appropriate,

given that that their life together was wound between secrets she dared not explore. She

was happy enough, more than happy, in fact. At least in the beginning. Before the darkness

that secrets exude began to swirl around them. She was happy before the doubts began to creep in,

before the bones were uncovered in the garden.

This story is a journey that begins in the distant past, and ends with a promise for the future. IT

is a journey that I recommend that you take, if you like mystery touched with romance and dusted with

petals of flowers long since gone.

The Knowledge of Good & Evil

by Glenn Kleier

Another fast paced, though provoking, action packed thriller from Glenn Kleier!
Back to the Bible, and of course the Vatican for source material, add a daring, and dashing
young ex-priest with a pure heart and a crisis of faith and you have an idea about what this
book in about. Ian Baringer made a name for himself when he was still a priest by performing
an act of heroism, and saving lives.

Despite the acclaim heaped upon him by the church, he still struggled. Having lost his parents in
a tragedy that could well have taken his life as well, he longed to see them again. He left the church and began a quest to find a way into the afterlife. His research and personal experiences convinced him that only by experiencing a NDE, near death experience, could he find them. They had lost their lives protecting him, saving his life. He felt that it was impossible to go on with his own life, until he did all that he could to thank them, even traveling beyond death itself.

Angela was not only a co-worker, but his fiancee. They made up a paranormal investigating team for
a popular television show. This and his own personal wealth gave him the tools he needed on
his quest to journey beyond physical death. He had an ingrained goodness and belief in miracles, and
Angela was a skeptic. This gave balance to his mission, and to his life. Then things got even more interesting. Friends in high places were able to help him, even as others were trying to take his life away for good. Are there some secrets that should never be revealed?

The Man with Pointy Teeth

by M Juanita Taylor

I read this authors first book Last year. It is called Cogslea Revisited, and is about a group of atists referred to as The Red Rose Girls.Malindi is an African Wild Dog in Cogslea, and was perhaps my favorite character of all. Malindi is of course sweet, loving and intuitive, as are so many dogs.

We meet up with more African Wild Dogs in this story, but they resided in a zoo and are part of a behavior study.
Caitlin is an art student who volunteers nights to watch the dogs and take notes on their behavior. She is befriended by Eddie, an employee of the zoo, who frankly seems a little like a man up to no good.

We learn that Caitlin has a good heart and is impulsvie, perhaps too muh so, as she allows some dubious characters to stay with her when they are down and out. I further questioned her common sense later in the book, when after a series of unfortunate events resulting in more than one death, she follows the advice of another dubious seeming character who suggest she hold back some information from police.

I have to say that I was clutching the book and trying to turn pages more quickly than I should when Caitlin herself seems to be the target. She has a new love interest and things are looking too good to be true. That's when things always happen right? Romances come crashing down, the mil spoils and the roses die. I just happens that way.

This story has Taylor's typical cast of quirky and interesting characters, and her love of animals shines clearly
throughout the story. The mystery held up pretty well for me and the story held my interest to the end. Do i recommend this one? Why yes I do! If you like mysteries, zoos, quirky characters and bonus... The Philadelphia area, read it. I think you will like it.

It is dark around the edges, just enough to take in a sharp breath from time to time.. but, it won't keep you up at night. Sounds about right , don't you think?