September 2020 books

 The total for this month was 5 books, 2 magazines, and 3 books abandoned.

That brings the total to the year to 91 books, 27 magazines, and 5 books abandoned.

Agent 355

by Marie Benedict

A fictional account of a woman in the Culper Spy Ring during the American Revolution, responsible for discovering and exposing Benedict Arnold's plot to betray the Americans to the British.  Interesting story.  Some romantic elements.

Black Ships Before Troy

Rosemary Sutcliff

A novelized version of The Iliad.  Abridged and tamed down from the original, but still pretty gory.  I got about half to two-thirds through and abandoned it.  

The Black Star of Kingston

by S.D. Smith

This book begins the backstory for the Green Ember series.  A short book, much shorter than Green Ember.  Some intense moments of fighting and terrible enemies, but not gory.  I would recommend age 12 and up.

The Children's Homer

by Padriac Colum

An abridged version of The Iliad and The Odyssey.  I got about halfway before abandoning it.  I guess Greek mythology is even less "my thing" than fantasy.  I just couldn't stomach all the false gods and gore.  The line drawings in this book, while not showing anatomical details, do depict naked or very poorly clothed people.

Usborne Illustrated Guide to Greek Myths and Legends

by Cheryl Evans & Anne Millard

Well, the title tells what it's about.  The pictures are kinda scary.  The behavior of these "gods" is sickening.  Yes, this was the third book I abandoned this month.

Mystery of the Roman Ransom

by Henry Winterfeld

This is a sequel to Detectives in Togas, which I read several years ago (and decided my kids weren't ready for it yet).  Seven boys run about Rome trying to figure out whose father is supposed to be assassinated.  Lots of mythology allusions.  So if you don't know what they are referring to, it can get a little confusing.  Fast-paced.  The one (lengthy) book I finished quickly this month. Nothing really bad about it.  I'm still undecided if there's any redeeming value in it to make it worth my kids' time.

The Life and Times of Prince Albert

by Patrick Allitt

A series of ten lectures about Prince Albert and Queen Victoria.  I learned a lot about a time and place I wasn't very familiar with.  It helped put into context some things I did know (like Charles Dickens and "Victorian England").  I really enjoyed listening to this one.

Aesop's Fables

A lengthy collection of many short fables attributed to, or  in the style of, Aesop.  Included an introduction with historical & biographical information about Aesop himself.