TBT and Get Kids Reading choice

I thought I would combine my Throwback Thursday choice with a Get Kids Reading choice and so I choose. Changing Tides (National Treasure A Gates Family Mystery book 1) by Catherine Hapka



This first book in a series based on the National Treasure books is an excellent mystery to start with for kids to read. I must say as an adult I like them too and will read the others in the series.
This book starts with how the Gates family got to America. Samuel Gates and his brother in 1612 sail for America and on the way learn of a treasure and decided to try and find it. They land in Jamestown hoping to find the treasure, gain wealth and repair their families reputation. This book and the others in the series is a great way to read about history while following along trying to solve the mystery and locate a treasure. Young kids will be learning history and not even realize it. This is a great book and each chapter builds excitement and leaves you wanting more. I think it is worth a look and read for young chapter book readers.


I hope you will try these mysteries but start with the first one here and follow the Gates family through American history.


Until Next Time:
GRAB A CUP OF COFFEE OR TEA, SOME CHOCOLATE, A GOOD BOOK AND KEEP ON READING AND GET THE KIDS READING!

TBT One My All Time Favorite Authors and Book A Thief Of Time by Tony Hillerman

I have chosen a book I read while I was studying for my AA in Liberal Arts because of my interest in history, archaeology and southwest native American culture. This book combined all my interests as well as a good mystery. A Thief of Time Navajo Mystery #8 by Tony Hillerman is on of my favorite books. I enjoy all of his books but this one probably was one of my favorites.


I think I love this book because Tony Hillerman brings the southwest and Indian culture to life. I had a real interest in the Navajo and Anasazi and this book falls right into that interest.


An archaeologist is investigating an Anasazi site and is getting close to making a great discovery when she goes missing.  The archaeologist is accused of  being one of the thieves of time, which is what they call the thieves who are stealing and destroying artifacts from known Anasazi sites so Lt Joe Leaphorn goes to investigate and find out if she is stealing.    When Lt. Joe Leaphorn investigates he finds that the archaeologist  has gone  missing, The graves and ruins are being robbed but now with the archaeologist missing and add to that murder it makes for a remarkable mystery thriller. Tony Hillerman has a way of bringing the culture of the Navajo and Anasazi into his stories and this book is no exception. It is a book that is hard to put down.


I have to say that all of the Navajo Mystery series is excellent to read. Lt Joe Leaphorn and  Det. Jim Chee of the Navajo police are just enough different to bring an interesting mix into the story. Lt. Joe Leaphorn is a complex person who does not practice the Navajo ways and who is, in this book, trying to get on with his life after losing his wife Emma. He is well educated and is a great investigator. Det. Jim Chee is at times bumbling but a good investigator too.  He still is learning and practicing the ways of the Navajo people which makes him different and unique to the story.


I think if you love a great mystery and thriller.  Have any interest at all in the Southwest and the Navajo and Anasazi culture. If you love archaeology and anthropology then you need to read this book and this series.


It has been awhile since I read this book but I think it would be a great book to read again.


So till next time:


GRAB A CUP OF COFFEE OR TEA, SOME CHOCOLATE, A GOOD BOOK,  AND KEEP ON READING!

Throwback Thursday A Study In Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

A Study In Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is the first of the Sherlock Holmes stories written. This is where Dr. Watson and Holmes meet and the fun begins.


Dr. Watson has been injured and is recovering from his war injuries and needs an place to stay. Holmes needs a roommate so when they are introduced it seems like a perfect fit for both of them. Dr. Watson soon learns of Holmes quirky eccentric ways and his ability to solve puzzles and mysteries especially when there is a murder to solve. When a body is found with no clues except a ring and word written in blood Holmes and Watson are there to figure it out. So the fun begins in this first book and goes on from there.


As I look back at books I have read in the past that helped me to develop my love of mystery I must and will include the Sherlock Holmes books by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle starting with this first one.


I hope you will give it a try if you haven't read it I don't think you will be disappointed.


Until Next Time:


GRAB A CUP OF COFFEE OR TEA, SOME CHOCOLATE AND A GOOD BOOK AND KEEP ON READING!

Throwback Thursday My Choice is The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett

 I was thinking about classic mysteries that I think all mystery lovers should read and probably right up there on the list with Agatha Christie and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle would be the all time great mystery The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett. This classic is just as good today as when it was written and I believe everyone should read it and add it to their libraries.


Sam Spade is a tough private detective who has to find out who has killed his partner and how does the Maltese Falcon fit into the picture. He is the kind of dogged detective that gets a hold of the bone so to speak and doesn't let go, if Sam is on your trail you might as well give up.  I love the quote “Yes,' Spade growled. 'And when you're slapped you'll take it and like it.' He released Cairo's wrist and with a thick open hand struck the side of his face three times savagely.”
― Dashiell Hammett, The Maltese Falcon    


This is probably one of my favorite all time books and characters. I hope if you haven't read it you will. So for my Throwback Thursday choice is The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett. Please give it a try Sam Spade won't disappoint.


Until next time:


GRAB A CUP OF COFFEE OR TEA, SOME CHOCOLATE, A GOOD BOOK AND KEEP ON READING!

Throwback Thursday Agatha Christie Fan from Teen Years

This Throwback Thursday I wanted to share my love of Agatha Christie. I think from the first book of hers I read I loved her. I read Murder On The Orient Express and I jumped on that train of Christie Fans and I never got off it. I love Agatha Christie books and I decided to read all her books again when I was given as a gift some of her books. I decided to read them from the beginning and not jump around if I can. I started with her first book of Hercule Piorot The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Hercule Poirot #1) by Agatha Christie



I enjoyed reading this again as much if not more than when I read it the first time.


  Hastings is recovering from a war injury and joins an old friend at his family home Styles. Mrs. Inglethorpe the step mother of Hastings friend John is poisoned while Hastings is staying there.
Hastings enlists the help of the Belgian detective Hercule Poirot to help find the killer. Hercule leads Hastings around trying to groom him into using his as Hercule would say "his little grey cells" to find the killer. We see from this first book that Hercule is pompous, full of himself and very good as a detective while Hastings seems to always jump to the wrong conclusions and Poirot has to show him the errors of his ways in Hastings thinking.


Their are many suspects that could have killed Mrs. Inglethorpe so it isn't an obvious easy mystery but one that you have to keep changing how you think and who you think has done the deed.


You can't go wrong reading this book either again or for the first time. Agatha Christie has a way of keeping your interest by never making the murder simple and easy to solve.


I hope if you have never read any of Agatha Christie's books that you will give them a try and maybe start from the beginning with this book.


Until Next time:


GRAB A CUP OF COFFEE OR TEA, SOME CHOCOLATE, A GOOD BOOK AND KEEP READING!