CC Spin #34: The Red Pony by John Steinbeck

🐴 The Red Pony is a compilation of four novellas. It follows the life of Jody Tiflin, a little boy of ten, who lives in a ranch, owned by his father Carl. Unlike his stern, cold-hearted father, Jody is a kind-hearted, sensitive boy.

🐴 The first story (The Gift) is about a red pony his father gifted Jody - the one which inspired the title. Jody named the pony Gabilan, and he adores him so much. With the help of Billy Buck, the ranch's reliable hand, Jody takes good care of Gabilan - feed, clean, and train the house regularly.

🐴 One rainy day, due to weather miscalculation from Billy Buck, Gabilan was out in the field, exposed to downpours. He (Gabilan, not Billy) caught a cold. A severe one, in fact, which exerted Billy's whole efforts to cure the horse. Will he succeed?

🐴 The third story, "The Promise", is also about horse. Carl thinks it's time for Jody to have more responsibility. He asked him to bring their mare Nelly to be "serviced" at a neighbor's farm, and Jody can raise and train its colt. The foaling, however, isn't a smooth process, but Billy Buck has promised Jody to give him a colt. Can he keep it?

🐴 The rest two stories are about two outsiders. The one is an old Mexican who claims he was born in that ranch long before the Tilfins bought the land. The other is Jody's grandfather who keeps re-telling same stories about how he used to lead a wagon train across the plains. These stories bored Carl and Billy, but fascinated Jody, who consoles his weary grandfather by stating that he, too, wants to be a leader.

🐴 As a whole, this book is about Jody's journey to adolescence, through responsibility and experience. Steinbeck wrote these stories while tending her ill mother in the hospital, and his anxiety reflected throughout the stories. Not a fun read, but Steinbeck wrote it quite beautifully.

Rating: 3,5 / 5

Six Degrees of Separation, from A Comedy to A Mystery

Six Degrees of Separation is a monthly meme, now hosted by Kate @ books are my favorite and best.

On the first Saturday of every month, a book is chosen as a starting point and linked to six other books to form a chain. Readers and bloggers are invited to join in by creating their own ‘chain’ leading from the selected book.

This month we start from:

0. Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld

Summary from Goodreads:
"Sally Milz is a sketch writer for "The Night Owls," the late-night live comedy show that airs each Saturday. With a couple of heartbreaks under her belt, she’s long abandoned the search for love, settling instead for the occasional hook-up, career success, and a close relationship with her stepfather to round out a satisfying life. Enter Noah Brewster, a pop music sensation with a reputation for dating models, who signed on as both host and musical guest for this week’s show. Dazzled by his charms, Sally hits it off with Noah instantly, and as they collaborate on one sketch after another, she begins to wonder whether there might actually be sparks flying. But this isn’t a romantic comedy; it’s real life. And in real life, someone like him would never date someone like her...right?"


As was with most of Six Degrees of Separation I've worked so far, this is yet a book I have not read. For my first chain I'll pick a phrase from above Goodreads summary: a pop music sensation, which instantly reminds me of a book I have read this year...

1. Pigeon Pie by Nancy Mitford

The music sensation is a unique character from this book, godfather of the heroine, a famous singer with terrific voice.

"The unique quality of his voice was the fact that it could reach higher and also lower notes than have ever been reached before by any human being, some of which were so high only bats, others so low that only horses, could hear them. When he was a very young man studying in Germany, his music teacher said to him, 'Herr King, you shall make, with that voice of  yours, musical history. I hope I may live to hear you at your zenith.'"

My review of this highly entertaining book.

The pigeon in the title, reminds me of Pigeonsford village, the setting of this golden age mystery:

2. Heads You Lose by Christianna Brand

Excerpt from my review:
"On that fatal day, after tea, Fran is showing a hat she's just bought. In her jealousy, Grace, after witnessing Pendock having been smitten by Fran, blurted out that she hates the hat, and that "I wouldn't be seen dead in a ditch in a hat like that!" Indeed, that night, Grace is found dead, inside a ditch in Pendock's garden, with decapitated head, and Fran's new hat on it!"

Here's the complete review.

From one hat of a girl, to another of a president:

3. The President's Hat by Antoine Laurain

This wonderful book begins when a man found a hat belongs to President François Mitterand, who incidentally left it at a restaurant. The man then took and wore it, and to his surprise, the hat lifted his spirit and gave him courage.

You can read more from my review.

The story on my next chain also begins with a hat. More precisely, when a girl found a hole in her hat. She assumes it was caused by pebbles, but Hercule Poirot knows better - it's left by a bullet! Yes, it's an Agatha Christie's book:

4. Peril at End House by Agatha Christie

Excerpt from my review:
"Nick Buckley, a young girl who lives in a house nearby, called End House, walked in and joined them, and found that there's a hole in her hat. You would, no doubt, guess what has really occurred - that the pebble is in fact a bullet, and that someone has shot Nick, but missed only an inch of her head. And so, this case was opened, quite unusually, without a corpse."

Here's the complete review.

Nick is the center of this story, and she reminds me of another Nick who is a narrator of this classic:

5. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

I don't think you'll need any summary/introduction of this book. But, do you remember how much metaphors Fitzgerald had thrown throughout the book? My post would refresh your memory. One of these metaphors is... (quoting from the post)

"Yellowish color—in Gatsby’s car, Wilson’s garage, Myrtle dress, etc—symbolizes moral corruption. The accident is caused by the yellow car, Myrtle’s manner changes completely after she changed to cream-colored dress."

For my last chain, I picked a book, where the color yellow made it to the title:

6. The Mystery of the Yellow Room by Gaston Leroux

Excerpt from my review:
"The titular yellow room is Mademoiselle Mathilde Stangerson's bedroom at the Chateau Glandier, where she was assisting her father, Professor Joseph Stangerson in his scientific works, that night. At midnight Mademoiselle resigned to her bedroom, locking the door that opens to the laboratory, where her father was still working, and their loyal old servant "Father" Jacques was sitting quietly.

Then the strangest thing happened - it happened so suddenly that the two men were astonished. Loud voices came from inside the room: people struggling, furniture tumbling, Mademoiselle's yelling 'help!', and there's even gun shots. The two men frantically tried to open the window from outside (it's locked), then force-opened the locked door. When they were able to enter, what they found was too impossible. No one was in the room, except Mathilde, lying unconsciously on the floor, bloody hand marks on the wall. Who had attacked her? Why? But most importantly, how did he escape (the door opens to the laboratory is the only door to the bedroom, and there's no chimney)? Even the Police couldn't come to any suggestion."

And here is the complete review.


Have you read those books? If you do #sixdegree, how it worked out for you this time?

 

Death by Dumpling (2018) by Vivien Chien: A Noodle Shop Cozy Mystery

🍜 A little confession: I was first interested in this book because of the word "dumpling" in the title, and a bowl of noodles in the cover. And that's because: I love noodles - especially wonton noodles! A cozy murder mystery with noodles and dumplings in it? Yes, please!

🍜 Our sleuth is a American-Taiwanese girl called Lana Lee. After a nasty breakup from her boyfriend and from her former workplace, Lana reluctantly helps as a server in her family's culinary business: Ho Lee Noodle House. The restaurant is located at the Asian Village Plaza, a mall full with shops related to Chinese/Asian culture, founded by a Mr. Feng.

🍜 On that fatal day Lana must hand-deliver Mr. Feng's lunch order to his office. Later that day, Mr. Feng was found dead from asphyxiation after he ate his lunch of shrimp dumplings, to which he was allergic. This was strange, because Ho Lee Noodle House is always careful not to serve shrimp for Mr. Feng's lunch, who was their loyal customer. There's definitely no dumpling in that lunch box Lana delivered. Moreover, Lana is sure she saw Mr. Feng's epipen in his pocket when she delivered the food, but it was evidently not there when the asphyxiation attacked him, for otherwise, it could have saved his life. Where was it?

🍜 When Peter the cook was arrested by the police, Ho Lee Noodle House began to lose customers, and she herself was regarded with suspicion by the Asian community, Lana made up her mind to investigate the murder case, if not to save her friend Peter, whom she believes is innocent, then, to save herself.

🍜 Little by little Lana collects a handfuls of information from and about people inside the Asian Village community to build her list of suspects. From these efforts, we could see how vulnerable Lana herself is actually. She isn't built for a strong brave sleuth, and only manages to do what she did because her best friend assists her, and the handsome police detective, who's clearly smitten by her, protects her.

🍜 In the end, Lana's investigation reveals hidden dark secrets and consequences from ill-fated decisions, which become the murder motive. And suddenly all the pieces of the puzzle fit into place; but not before an attempt of murder to herself. I wonder how Lana couldn't see for herself when the murderer's identity was very clear, at least from that incident.

🍜 All in all, this was a very promising debut of a series. Vivien Chien succeeded in well-constructing her foundation. She laid the cultural background beautifully without overly doing it to a point of stereotyping; while her characters and their struggles are believable without exaggeration. It's probably an average murder mystery, but a little deeper, with a tinge of romance and humour, which makes it enjoyable.

Rating: 4 / 5

Goodbye Paris In July! Goodbye Papa! 👋🏼

I got through July with mixed feelings. The first half is full of joy and cheerfulness. I read a lot - four books - for Paris in July. I even got a chance to do virtual walking in Paris. All was well.

Then came the storm. On 16th July, my Parkinson's-father felt sharp pain in his right chest - he couldn't breathe without pain. We brought him to the ER, where they'd found an infection, Pneumonia-turned-sepsis in his lung. That night they put him in ICU. Two days later he passed away, only two days short of his 80th birthday.

My mother and I knew beforehand that the end is near because of Papa's worsening condition. So, we have prepared ourselves for the big day. We were constantly by his side during his last hours - together with Papa's two younger brothers - caressing him, showering him with love and forgiveness, saying goodbyes, and also prayers. We witnessed the continuing drops of Papa's vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, respiration) from the monitor, until he passed. I'm relieved that Papa didn't suffer during his passing, he was as peaceful as if falling to deep sleep.

After that, it's the exhausting business of burying a loved one, which you could probably have imagined. I've slept very little during that tough week, constantly making important decisions, being an only child. But thank God, my best friends came to the rescue (indeed, you'd realize who your true friends are in times like this!), and I could finally get through those trying moments. My books are also the silent but most reliable friends I could always count on.

This day, I am in process of re-constructing my life. I often miss Papa, but am relieved at the same time that his suffering has come to an end, and he now lives happily ever after with Our Father in heaven. One day we will be together again, but for now I must continue on without him.

I'm sorry for not having been much around the blogosphere lately - I miss visiting your blogs, leaving comments, and replying to your comments. Don't worry, I'll come around eventually! Meanwhile, here's my recap of Paris in July 2023:

Books read and reviewed:
The Mystery of the Yellow Room by Gaston Leroux
The President's Hat by Antoine Laurain
Letters from My Windmill by Alphonse Daudet
Dear Paris: The Paris Letters Collection by Janice MacLeod

Paris posts beyond reading:
A Walk in Paris: Montmartre District
My French Playlist


A huge thanks to Emma @ Words and Peace for hosting this wonderful event, and I really hope I can enjoy much more next year. But for now, I must say: Goodbye Paris in July 2023! Goodbye Papa! Au revoir! 👋🏼

Dear Paris: The Paris Letters Collection by Janice MacLeod: A Review for #ParisInJuly

🎨 It's all started when Janice MacLeod sent illustrated letters about her beautiful Paris to her friends years ago. Then she started a letter subscription service in Etsy, through which, her subscribers monthly receive her illustrated letters. This book is a selected collection of 140 of those letters, written within the span of  eight years, from 2012 to 2020.

🎨 These letters are addressed mostly to her friend named Áine, and only one is addressed to another woman. They celebrate the day-to-day of Parisian's life, as well as Janice's growing love of the city. She met Christophe, her future husband, there. She lives in an apartment on Rue Mouffetard, and while sitting at the cafe watching the world goes by, she used to make sketches. What an unexpected business future lays await for her from these seemingly idle occupation! This book contains those snippets of things that makes Paris dear to many people - citizens as well as tourists. It's a real joy to read, especially for anyone who loves Paris, like I do.

🎨 Besides some usual landmarks like Montmartre, Shakespeare and Company, or Jardin du Luxembourg, Janice also wrote about interesting facts or hidden gems that ordinary tourists might seldom know. The Zouave statue, for instance. I didn't know there's such statue located at the foot of Pont de l'Alma which Parisians use to gauge the water level in case the Seine was rising. Or, the fact that there were already 35 permanent carousels in Paris before the city added 20 more when Janice wrote her letter on January 2013!

🎨 If you have watched Midnight in Paris (I have, perhaps five times!), you'd probably remember the steps where Gil Pender is sitting while the clock strikes 12, and a vintage car which brought him to the 1920s era appeared? Thanks to Janice's February 2014 letter, now I know that the legendary steps belong to Saint-Étienne-du-Mont church! If I ever go back to Paris one day, I'd certainly visit this church, if only just to sit on those steps!

🎨 I loved Janice's writing, but much more than that, her gorgeous paintings! She really captures the true heart and soul of the city. In futile I have searched for favorites, I loved them all! But if you need a few peeks, here are two of them:

🎨 This might not be her best, but I think it captures the Parisian soul perfectly. It's about an old lady, Janice's neighbor, who said that "at my age I could "expire" at any moment". Janice's been keeping an eye on her ever since, but one day she saw her dancing at the Sunday market with a handsome man. "Every Sunday on Rue Mouffetard there is music, dancing, and a sing-a-long." The painting says it all, doesn't it? It makes me longing to move there!...

🎨 This one is titled Covered Passages, and I've found through Google that this is actually the Passage Jouffroy in 9th arrondissement. Details in the painting are slightly altered, but who cares when the final painting looks that beautiful?

The actual Passage Jouffroy

🎨 I have loved Paris since I took a French course at CCF (Centre Culturel Français) more than twenty years ago, and then loved it even more after my short visit there. But now, if it's possible, I love Paris even more after reading and enjoying this book. If you are a Francophile or loves paintings, this book is definitely for you!

🎨 My only complaint is that Janice included several letters about her journeys to other countries: Italy, Germany, UK, Belgium, Canada, US, even Japan. When you titled a book Dear Paris, one expects to find Paris (or at least French) things only in it. It's better to have only 100 illustrated letters about Paris or France, than having got 140 but finding random countries in it! It is that aspect which costs this book half star of otherwise a solid five, but other than that, it is a most delightful charming memoir to read!

Rating: 4,5 / 5

 

4th book for Paris in July

Letters from My Windmill by Alphonse Daudet: A Review

✉ As hinted by the title, this book (originally titled Lettres de mon moulin) consists of short stories, written as letters addressed to a Parisian. The narrator was relocated from his Paris home, and now lives in an rented abandoned windmill he in Provence.

✉ In these letters, he recounted his new life in Provence; from day-to-day events in the countryside - which are so different from the hustle-bustle of a big city - to some Provençal folktales. In addition to that, he also included his trips to Corsica and Algeria.

✉ Some of these stories - or sketches, you might call it - are light and funny, but there are few of them which is satirical, and even sad. I loved the first story: First Impressions, it transported me to the quiet countryside of southern France:

"I am writing to you from my Windmill, with the door wide open to the brilliant sunshine. In front of me, a lovely, sparkling lit, pine wood plunges down to the bottom of the hill. The nearest mountains, the Alpilles, are far away, their grand silhouettes pressing against the sky... There was hardly a sound to be heard; a fading fire, a curlew calling amongst the lavender, and a tinkle of mules' bells from somewhere along the track. The Provençal light really brings this beautiful landscape to life."

✉ Don't you just love it? I can feel the serene quietness in my head, the warm sun caressing my skin right now!

Daudet's mill in Fontvielle, open for tourists, complete with museum

✉ Some of the 'folktales' are pretty hilarious. The Pope's Mule is perhaps one of my favorites. It's about.. well, a Papal mule who was used to be spoilt by the owner, that when a naughty boy was hired to take care of her, he grudged the boy's bullies and cruelty. She longed to give the boy a mighty kick, but before she got a chance, the boy was sent abroad. But the mule never forgets. Seven years she waited patiently to get his sweet revenge. Will she succeed?

✉ Another one I loved is The Stars. It's a sweet tale about a shepherd who is falling in love with his master's charming daughter.

✉ All in all, I loved all the fourteen stories. The beautiful Provençal countryside with its fife player, tambourines, and farandole dances are what one needs in this bleak existence one lives in.

Rating: 4 / 5

 

3rd book for Paris in July 2023

Paris in July: My Current French Playlist

I am not a music person - meaning that I occasionally play some music (usually during office hours), but I'm not addicted to it. But every July, I couldn't resist from playing some French music from my playlist every now and then.

This year has been tough for me, so I need some cheerful music to lift up my spirit. I was drawn to this particular singer's voice and the kind of her songs:

Tatiana Eva-Marie & Avalon Jazz Band

From tatianaevamarie.com website:
"Nicknamed the Gypsy-jazz Warbler by the New York Times, Tatiana Eva-Marie is a transatlantic bandleader, singer, author, and actress based in Brooklyn. She plays French pop derived from the Django tradition with Balkan Gypsy and folk influences.

Though her interests have led her to explore a wide range of musical styles, Tatiana Eva-Marie’s craft is always inspired by her own French and Balkan heritage; a love for the Parisian art scene era spanning the 1920s to the 60s; a passion for traditional Gypsy songs; a fascination for New Orleans music; and a deep connection to the Great American Songbook."

I love jazz, particularly that of the 20th century (vintage). That's why Tatiana's Youtube videos immediately become my favorite. She sings quite a lot of French songs, or song about France/Paris, and also American ones. But, of course, my interest this month is only for the French ones.

My favorite is her rendition of Cole Porter's I Love Paris. It's light, rhythmic, with cheerful notes and accordion! Not only do I LOVE Paris, I also like Cole Porter (another of my favorite is Let's Fall in Love, which was one of the theme-songs in Midnight in Paris).

Several more of her songs that made up my playlist:

🎶 Que reste-t-il de nos amours? (composed by Léo Chauliac and Charles Trenet)
🎶 Si Tu Vois Ma Mère (composed by Sidney Bechet). This is also one of Midnight in Paris's theme songs.
🎶 Fleur Bleu (Charles Trenet)
🎶 Un Rien Me Fait Chanter (Charles Trenet)
🎶 J'ai ta main (Charles Trenet)
🎶 Qu'est ce qu'on attend pour être heureux (Paul Misraki)


Do you have certain playlist for #ParisInJuly? What kind of song it consist of?