It's September and it's been kind of a weird month. I'm back to watching my Granddaughter twice a week but I go over later in the morning. She's going through Potty Training and my Son-in-law (who works nights now) gets up early so the routine doesn't get disrupted. I had some car trouble early on and wound up having to replace the Ignition Cylinder. Then, my Debit Card was declined and I found out that someone tried to use it in China so I had to replace it. Still, frustrations aside, I did manage to get some reading done.
Miscellaneous
The Gates Of The Alamo - Stephen Harrigan ($7.99/$.50, copyright 2000, 732 pages, Paperback)
The story of the Alamo is one that most Americans know because of the countless books and films on the subject. Rather then give a straight-forward history, Harrigan shows it to us through the eyes of fictional characters - Edmund McGowan, a loner dedicated to botanical research; Mary Mott, a widowed innkeeper trying to keep what remains of her family together; and her son Terrell, who grows and matures into manhood as the novel evolves. It's a blend of historical research and fictional imagination that should satisfy all who are interested in the topic. Another plus, we get both sides because the author has included the Mexican perspective from the fictional Telesfero Villasena up to Santa Anna himself. Harrigan doesn't sugar-coat anything and gives us Jim Bowie, Sam Houston, William Travis, and Davey Crockett with all their faults exposed. I have to admit that I put this down a few times because the lead-up got boring at times and I didn't like the wrap-around. All in all, it was OK.
The Club Dumas - Arturo Perez-Reverte ($14.95/$1.00, copyright 1995, 362 pages, Trade Paperback)
Several months ago, when the weather was bad, I wound up rereading - and enjoying - the Musketeer Trilogy by Alexander Dumas (my Chapter Eighty-two). When I found this at a Library Sale shortly after that I snatched it up but have been hesitant to read it in case it didn't measure up. Turned out it was better then I expected.The main character is Lucas Corso, a Detective who works in the world of rare book collectors. Here he's trying to find an original manuscript of "The Three Musketeers" and winds up tracking the life of Dumas and exploring many of his works. Perez-Reverte throws in another search for a rare book from 1666 that may have been co-written by Satan. Then he stirs in secret societies, satanic rituals, exotic locals, femme fatales, quirky and memorable supporting characters, supernatural guardians and pacing that moves along very quickly. I enjoyed it.
October is just around the corner. The leaves are falling and it's getting cooler out. The days are getting shorter.
Halloween is just a month away so that might influence next month's choices. Until then ...
Keep reading.
