4x10 Reading Challenge

One of the benefits of having a computer virus, a flu virus, bad weather (not lately--we have been having early Spring weather) and a bad knee is I have had lots of time to read. Here is what I have added to my list---

Children's Lit (4-10)
A Necklace of Raindrops by Joan Aiken
cute but not up to her usual standard--seemed like fairy tales made up on the spot to get a child to sleep.

Lives and Legends of the Saints by Carole Armstrong
Beautiful picture book

Favorite Medieval Tales by Mary Pope Osborne
Also beautifully illustrated and beautifully re-told

Children's Lit (10-14)
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
Smart kids who work together to save the world and themselves, clever tale.

History
The Thieves of Baghdad by Matthew Bogdano
My brother recommended this one and it was a great read about the sacking of the Baghdad museum during the Iraq war. Bogdano is a master tale teller.

World Politics
The Illusion of Victory by Thomas Fleming
I had asked around for some good books on world politics and several books by this author came up. This is about WWI and the politics surrounding the war. I was pleading for mercy by the time I finished it. Note to self: never, ever, read a book about WWI during February ever again. Maybe even no more books about WWI ever again. What a bloody, brutal time.

How to Break a Terrorist by Matthew Alexander
Tegan recommended this one and it also was riveting and not one I would have picked up on my own. Alexander is one of the "new" interogaters using psychology instead of torture.

Education
Real Education by Charles Murray
A lot of statistics about public schools and why they don't work. I'm pretty sure Charlotte Mason wouldn't agree with him about students who aren't capable of college work but he does recommend a liberal education for all in elementary school.

Fiction (classics)
The Man Who was Thursday by G.K. Chesterton
Brilliant! An anarchist romp written with flair!

Serendipity
Real Food by Nina Planck
I don't know why I read these foodie books. It just makes me feel bad that I don't buy raw milk, pastured beef, organic veggies...I would if I could but they are not available and/or not affordable. Alas.

Adult Fiction
Blood and Ice by Robert Masello
I thought this was going to be a thriller detective story. It turned into a vampire story. Yuck!