Book 658: Strega Nona

Strega Nona, by Tomie dePaola, 1975.

This book is a classic, and deservedly so; Tomie dePaola is a national treasure.  This book is beautifully illustrated, and the story, which is not dissimilar to The Sorcerer's Apprentice, is told with gentleness and humor.  Tomie dePaola by no means rested after his early achievements:  He has another book coming out this year.

Book 657: 100 Ghastly Little Ghostly Stories

100 Ghastly Little Ghostly Stories, 1993.

Some of these stories are perfect little gems (I'm looking at you, Oscar Wilde); some are diamonds in the rough; and some are pyrite.  Overall, this book was well-worth the less-than-$10 I paid for it, and the three evenings I spent reading it.

Book 656: Great Tales of Suspense

Great Tales of Suspense, Troll Books, 2002.

Some of the tales are great; some are not so great.  Some of the tales are suspenseful; some are not so suspenseful.  This book is pretty much representative of any collection of stories.

Book 655: The Tiger Rising

The Tiger Rising, Kate DiCamillo, Candlewick Press, 2015

Kate DiCamillo writes such heartbreaking fiction.  That doesn't mean it is bad.  That doesn't mean it isn't worth reading.  In fact, quite the opposite of those two ideas would be true.  But, although this book is rather a fast read, it is not a very easy read.  And it does end with both a sacrifice and a redemption.

Book 654: The Arabian Nights

The Arabian Nights, illustrated by Maxfield Parrish.

This book is gorgeous, thanks to Maxfield Parrish.  But the stories themselves are interestingly-told, with a quaint old-world wiseness that seems to be missing from modern writing.  Some I liked better than others, but that is true about any collection of stories.

Book 653: Fear

Fear, by Bob Woodward, Simon & Schuster, 2018.

I finished reading this book on Thursday, while checking in with the Kavanaugh hearing.  Thursday was a rough and scary day. 

Because I read this book, I understand Senator Graham's outburst at the hearing.  I knew exactly what he was doing.  I also knew exactly why, on Friday, Graham had the job of telling Trump about the wanted investigation. 

I hardly need say Bob Woodward is a brilliant writer -- he is.  He wrote what happened in the White House, without judgment, and with various degrees of sympathy.  Even so, this book is perfectly named.