Three More Books

 

Circle of Days by Ken Follett I have mixed feelings about this book. I borrowed it from the library thinking that it was a book about the building of Stonehenge by ancient people. Well, yeah, it is and it isn't. Although the stone circle is mentioned occasionally throughout the 700-page book, it isn't until the very end that the story tells of the moving of the massive stones from far away and putting them in place. And I totally don't buy Follett's conjecture that those stones could have been moved the way his story portrays. But, all in all, it's a pretty good story.

The First Witch of Boston by Andrea Catalano Since I was a senior in high School I've had a fascination with the "witch trials" in Europe and the colonies, when powerful religious men had women who dared to be anything except their housekeepers, child raisers, and sex objects dare to branch out or to speak their minds. I wrote my senior term paper, necessary for graduation, on the subject. That paper has since been last. I wish I still had it.

This book of historical fiction is based on the first woman, Margaret Jones, to be tried and hanged as a witch in Boston. You might want to have a box of tissues handy if you choose to read it. I got very emotional. *

The Book of Hope by Jane Goodall and Doublas Abrams Upon the recent death of naturalist Dr. Jane Goodall, my book club decided to read this book, which was written from an interview with her by author Douglas Abrams. The interview took place during the COVID 19 pandemic. Still today, during the worsening climate crisis, wars, loss of biodiversity, political movements against freedom and liberty—it can be hard to feel optimistic. Hope has never been more desperately needed. Dr. Goodall's very humble and compassionate words are just as appropriate today, as people search for hope in this dangerous and chaotic world in which we find ourselves.