Read-a-Thon Reads

225. Down in Cut Shin Creek: The Pack Horse Librarians of Kentucky by Kathi Appelt & Jeanne Cannella Schmitzer

I knew nothing about these amazing women until I came across this book. During the Great Depression, the WPA funded a program where woman would travel by horse and deliver books in places where there were no paved roads. These women traveled through snow, rain, the cold, and through the mountains and streams to get books to people who had no access to libraries or books. I am trying to imagine how many lives were changed with this program. Incredible.

226. In a Blue Velvet Dress by Catherine Sefton

Jane Reid (appropriate last name) is an avid reader. She is sent to stay with her aunt and uncle while her parents travel. By mistake, her suitcase and her father’s suitcase are switched and Jane ends up with nothing to read. She is in despair until she finds someone is leaving books for her each night. Who is this mysterious someone? Jane begins to try to figure out who is leaving the books and it becomes clear that it is not a human being. Very fun book.

227. A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare

Love is such a silly game; this play makes that very clear. A woman is in love with a man her father disapproves of…a woman loves a man who does not love her…and then the fairies interfere, with crazy consequences. Fun, fun, fun.

228. Miss Zukas and the Library Murders by Jo Dereske

Miss Zukas is a very proper librarian who is astounded to discover a dead body has been found in her library. And in the fiction section! She must use all her powers of reasoning and deduction to find the murderer.

229. Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

I’ve been reading on this book since before school began and the read-a-thon finally gave me a chance to finish it. I see why so many people have read this book and loved it over the years. Action. Adventure. Pirates. Treasure. A deserted island. A bad guy who is not all bad and a hero who is full of courage and conviction despite being a boy. Great story.

230. When Will There Be Good News? By Kate Atkinson

Don’t read this book if you are looking for a sweet story with a happy ending. Nobody has any luck in this story. Anything bad that can happen will happen. In all honesty, I found it a bit much to imagine that a girl who had her entire family killed would grow up to have herself and her child kidnapped. A little too much bad fortune. A good plot, good characters, nevertheless