This series is in my to-read pile. Thanks for the review. I have always imagined yarn versions of the “little free libraries”. How wonderful your library actually has one! ♥️
These days I try to stay away from any reading or viewing that involves murder, gun battles, solving unsolved crimes, witches and werewolves; there is plenty of that going on overtly or otherwise in the real world. It preserves my sanity and serenity. That said, I enjoy reading your book reports (as we used to call them) because they are written with wisdom about how a book can affect the reader, instruct, inspire, bring joy, offer escape in the midst of strife of any sort.
Why would anyone want to ban books, is beyond my understanding; but it has happened before; It is happening now. Alarming stuff. When something as uplifting as a book, any book, a book on any subject, is denied to the people, it denies them growth in intellect, character, and pleasue to say the least. Books have been burned to deny knowledge of history, of humanity in every aspect. To deny the past, to control the present and to repress the future.
Let books live in libraries, in homes, schools, in fancy and humble places. Let them be worn out by the cover and the edges. Let them be written. Let them exist in every way because they are witnesses to own existence on the planet.
Ah yes, I am my mother's daughter. Public libraries are a huge block in the foundations of a civil society. They are a treasury of human culture available to all.
So happy you are enjoying Dorothy Gilman's Mrs. Pollifax series. Especially the audio's by Barbara Rosenblat. Probably like you, I found them an irritable pair to knit along with. Barbara Rosenblat also did the Goldy Shulz - Colorado caterer series by Diane Mott Davidson several years ago.
Oh, and happy to tell you there are several stand-alones by Dorothy Gilman. Some on e-book if not in audio. I have enjoyed them all via Libby at my library. Love your review!
What a lovely post - great reading recommendation and inspiration in the form of a maker space in a public library. That is brilliant. Thanks for this bright spot in my day.
We listened to the Mrs. Pollifax series on car trips with our kids in the 1990s! We all enjoyed them and the narration was terrific. Be sure to also check out Dorothy Gilman’s standalone novel, Caravan.
Barbara Rosenblat also reads the Amelia Peabody series, another strong smart female protagonist who goes to Egypt to explore the pyramids.
I love the Yarn Library! That sounds like just the sort of project for my local fiber guild.
I love Mrs Pollifax; she features in one of my very first Substack posts: https://open.substack.com/pub/bibblio/p/can-fiction-set-you-free?r=31a3p0&utm_medium=ios
I’m so glad you like Mrs. Pollifax! I think she’s a treat to read and such a good companion on audio!
I discovered Mrs. Pollifax 25 years ago. Love her! So glad you are enjoying her adventures.
Lucky you, to have had Emily in your life for so long!
This series is in my to-read pile. Thanks for the review. I have always imagined yarn versions of the “little free libraries”. How wonderful your library actually has one! ♥️
Isn't it!? I'd love to see yarn libraries spring up everywhere.
These days I try to stay away from any reading or viewing that involves murder, gun battles, solving unsolved crimes, witches and werewolves; there is plenty of that going on overtly or otherwise in the real world. It preserves my sanity and serenity. That said, I enjoy reading your book reports (as we used to call them) because they are written with wisdom about how a book can affect the reader, instruct, inspire, bring joy, offer escape in the midst of strife of any sort.
Why would anyone want to ban books, is beyond my understanding; but it has happened before; It is happening now. Alarming stuff. When something as uplifting as a book, any book, a book on any subject, is denied to the people, it denies them growth in intellect, character, and pleasue to say the least. Books have been burned to deny knowledge of history, of humanity in every aspect. To deny the past, to control the present and to repress the future.
Let books live in libraries, in homes, schools, in fancy and humble places. Let them be worn out by the cover and the edges. Let them be written. Let them exist in every way because they are witnesses to own existence on the planet.
Ah yes, I am my mother's daughter. Public libraries are a huge block in the foundations of a civil society. They are a treasury of human culture available to all.
So happy you are enjoying Dorothy Gilman's Mrs. Pollifax series. Especially the audio's by Barbara Rosenblat. Probably like you, I found them an irritable pair to knit along with. Barbara Rosenblat also did the Goldy Shulz - Colorado caterer series by Diane Mott Davidson several years ago.
Oh, and happy to tell you there are several stand-alones by Dorothy Gilman. Some on e-book if not in audio. I have enjoyed them all via Libby at my library. Love your review!
I'll definitely be looking for more work from Dorothy Gilman!
What a lovely post - great reading recommendation and inspiration in the form of a maker space in a public library. That is brilliant. Thanks for this bright spot in my day.
Thank you for your kind words.
We listened to the Mrs. Pollifax series on car trips with our kids in the 1990s! We all enjoyed them and the narration was terrific. Be sure to also check out Dorothy Gilman’s standalone novel, Caravan.
Barbara Rosenblat also reads the Amelia Peabody series, another strong smart female protagonist who goes to Egypt to explore the pyramids.
I love the Yarn Library! That sounds like just the sort of project for my local fiber guild.
I imagine Mrs. Pollifax would a great family listen! And I will definitely add Caravan to my reading list.