Middle Sister's November Reads

November seemed to fly by, so I didn't get as much read as I had wanted. I hope, with some time off over the holidays, to read to my heart's desire.

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery My book group's read this month. I hadn't read this book in about 40 years, but I had read it several times as a child, and loved it, of course. We are all Anne--we feel like we don't belong, we day dream, we just want love and beauty and peace. I am happy to report that Anne of Green Gables is just as wonderful as an adult as it was as a child. Except that now I sympathized with Mrs. Lynde, which I never did as a child. Not all beloved children's books survive an adult rereading, but this one did. And I still want to be Anne when I grow up, and I'm still waiting for my Gilbert. Highly recommended (Library ebook)

Miss Seeton Flies High by Hamilton Crane Another old book being reissued as a ebook. I've always enjoyed Miss Seeton. She's another elderly, English spinster sleuth, but she's not as well known as Miss Marple or Miss Silver, which is a shame. Miss Seeton is unlike her compatriots in that she's a little less judgmental and she's also a working sleuth, on retainer with Scotland Yard. The Seeton hook is that she's a retired art teacher, and in her sketches are her subconscious observations or intuitions that lead Scotland Yard to solve the mystery. In Flies High, drug runners and a kidnapped heir are confounded by King Arthur and New Agers, but Miss Seeton gets to take a balloon ride and solve the case. Recommended (Net Galley)

Ghost by Jason Reynolds I heard Mr. Reynolds interviewed on television recently and was very impressed with his thinking, philosophy, and erudition, so determined to read Ghost. I am so glad I did. It was wonderful, and absolutely worthy of the National Book Award nomination. Adult or child, this is is a heartwarming and inspiring story. Highly recommended