The Museum of Desire

The Museum of Desire by Jonathon Kellerman. (An Alex Delaware Novel) New Yoek: Ballantine Books, 2020. 303 pages. ****

LAPD Lieutenant Milo Sturgis and psychologist Dr. Alex Delaware team up to solve murders all the time, but this latest crime baffles them. Seemingly unrelated bodies posed in a stretch limo outside of a deserted mansion challenges them on a whole new level. The unoccupied mansion is rented out for parties and the limo is discovered in the morning when the cleaner shows up to clear it of debris from the latest underage party.

This latest psychological thriller is fantastic and captivating. I have always enjoyed this duo and this one doesn't disappoint. The plot is complicated, yet weaves together brilliantly! Each victim has his/her own story to tell and it adds up to the horrific revenge inflicted on each of them. Somewhat formalic in the actions of the main characters, (they do have a predictable part to play after all) there is nothing predictable in the story line. Kellerman's books may be read independently, however, once you read one Sturgis and Delaware book, you will want to read them all.

Jonathan Kellerman is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than forty crime novels, including the Alex Delaware series, The Butcher's Theater, Billy Straight, The Conspiracy Club, Twisted, True Detectives, and The Murderer's Daughter. With his wife, bestselling novelist Faye Kellerman, he co-authored Double Homicide and Capital Crimes. With his son, bestselling novelist Jesse Kellerman, he co-authored A Measure of Darkness, Crime Scene, The Golem of Hollywood, and The Golem of Paris. He is also the author of two children's books and numerous nonfiction works, including Savage Spawn: Reflections on Violent Children and With Strings Attached: The Art and Beauty of Vintage Guitars. He has won the Goldwyn, Edgar, and Anthony awards and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Psychological Association, and has been nominated for a Shamus Award. Jonathan and Faye Kellerman live in California and New Mexico. For more information jonathonkellerman.com

#themuseumofdesire #psychologicalmystery #psychologicalthriller

Holy Envy

Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others by Barbara Brown Taylor. New York: Harper One, 2019. 238 pages. **** Study Guide can be downloaded.

From the author "It’s called Holy Envy after Krister Stendahl, whose third rule for understanding between people of different religions was “Leave room for holy envy.” The book started out as a classroom memoir, focusing on the teaching of Religion 101 (Religions of the World) at a small liberal arts college in rural Northeast Georgia.  By the time I finished it, the story was also about how teaching the class challenged and deepened my own faith. I hope it is a book that readers of any or no religious identity can enjoy, but I had Christians in mind when I wrote it—because holy envy is a difficult concept for people who have been taught there is only one way to God. Wrestling with that teaching—and others like it—is what this book is about."

This is not a book that I would have chosen on my own. I received it as part of a Facebook Book Club, The Book Hive Book Club. It was a fascinating read in the sense that it differs from other religious material that I have read. Reading about some of the tenets and customs from the religions and the students reactions to them was enlightening. An aside--I had this book with me at the dentist's office and the xray technician was very disapproving. She is a Christian and seemed to think that it is sinful and hurtful to read a book about other religions. "Jesus is the one true savior." I listened respectfully, but I kept an eye on the book, I was afraid she was going to pitch it in the trash can. I am intrigued by the concept of "Holy Envy." and questioned my own beliefs and do I have envy of other religions? Raised Catholic, I have my seemingly questionable actions...lighting candles, asking for three wishes when entering a new church, The Sign of the Cross, blessing myself with Holy Water, novenas, and praying the rosary. Yet, these same actions are comforting and rooted in my childhood Catholic school education. My relationship with God has not changed, just my outward actions of going to confession and Mass has changed. One of my friends is reading it as part of her Women's Group at her Church.This book has broadened my understanding of the religions mentioned and I definitely recommend it. 

Barbara Brown Taylor is a best-selling author, teacher, and Episcopal priest.  Her first memoir, Leaving Church, won an Author of the Year award from the Georgia Writers Association in 2006.  Her next two books, An Altar in the World (2010) and Learning to Walk in the Dark (2015), earned places on the New York Times bestseller list.  She has served on the faculties of Piedmont College, Columbia Theological Seminary, Candler School of Theology at Emory University, McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University, and the Certificate in Theological Studies program at Arrendale State Prison for Women in Alto, Georgia.  In 2014 TIME included her on its annual list of Most Influential People; in 2015 she was named Georgia Woman of the Year; in 2016 she received the President’s Medal at the Chautauqua Institution in New York.  For more information https://barbarabrowntaylor.com

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson. IL: Sourcebooks Landmark, 2019. 308 pages. **** Reading Group Guide, Conversation with the Author.

Cussy Mary Carter is a strong independent woman who thanks to Roosevelt's Kentucky Pack Horse Library Project works as a traveling librarian. Delivering books from the back of her stubborn, feisty, mule Junia, Cussy provides us a glimpse into a world of poverty, hunger, prejudice, and a people with an eagerness to learn. The only child of a hard-working coal miner, she is determined to stay single and to provide for herself. Her father suffering from a lung disease from working in the mines is equally determined to find her a husband to care for her when he is gone. It's the 1930s and medicine, money, and food are scarce, but the residents of Troublesome Creek look out for their own unless they are people of color. Cussy is the last of her people her skin a light blue, caused by Methemoglobinemia. Many are suspicious of her kind and prejudices run deep causing Cussy to take dangerous risks to deliver the books and find love and friendship along her route.

Richardson has skillfully woven the story of the traveling librarians together with the true blue-skinned-people of Kentucky. I was mesmerized by the life of the characters and stopped midbook to research. Richardson has provided black and white images from the Project, which adds to the story. As a retired librarian, I may be biased in my enthusiasm for her characterization of Cussy. Traveling on horses to deliver books has always seemed adventurous, but the reality of the suffering, hardships, and dangers experienced by the librarians is all too clear in this story. A woman of color traveling alone is an easy target for misguided religious men who are outraged by her mission and the subject of some of the books. I definitely recommend this book even though at times it was a difficult read. The hardships are intense and real. Add it to your "To Be Read" list but carve out some time to be totally absorbed by the story. 

To read more about Methemoglobinemia:

https://www.healthline.com/health/methemoglobinemia#acquired-methemoglobinemia:

Images of the Blue skinned people of Kentucky

Kentucky Pack Horse Library Project:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pack_Horse_Library_Project

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/horse-riding-librarians-were-great-depression-bookmobiles-180963786/

Kim Michele Richardson lives in Kentucky and resides part-time in western North Carolina. She is an advocate for the prevention of child abuse and domestic violence and has partnered with the Navy globally to bring awareness and education to te prevention of domestic violence. She is the author of the best-selling memoir The Unbreakable Child and is the founder of the tiny home Shy Rabbit, a writer/artists scholarship residency. Her novels include Liar's Bench, GodPretty in the Tobacco Field and the Sisiters of Glass Ferry.

#thebookwomanoftroublesomecreek #historicalfiction

2019 Monthly Color Challenge - October

October - Rose (Red)

To find this month's pattern, check out Jen's Blog.

Dark red and light red, not exactly sure what those colors are?

I pulled my reds...

These two reds seem to have the highest contrast, so we'll see how they play with each other!

My favorite tools and I am good to go... I love Karen Kay Buckley scissors with their serrated edge, worth every penny!

This is an easy block to construct and Jen's instructions are clearly written. Laying out the block before sewing helps keep the pieces in order.

 The block turned out perfectly.

Pip approves of how well the colors go together!

Visit this month's bloggers and checkout their blocks:

Patterns By Jen
Bear Paw Stitch & Design
The Quilted Diary
Kentucky Whittaker Creations
PamelaQuilts
Everyone Deserves a Quilt

Follow me on Instagram to see all of my quilting endeavors! (kathy.nester)

#2019monthlycolorchallenge #octoberblock #octoberredroses