The People of Sparks

This is the sequel to the City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau. I wrote about the previous book earlier this year.

Although written for teens, I really did enjoy the book. It is kind of like Harry Potter in that it can appeal to all age groups.

This book picks up where the City of Ember leaves off with the people of Ember finding their way to the outer/larger world and telling how they get along in it. Sparks is the town they come to live in. There is some explanation given on the way as to what had happened to world while they were apart from it. I am being a little vague here so as not to give too much away and spoil the story, especially if you have not read the first book. I think that there is a reason for using the names Ember and Sparks as well - see what you think.

There is a good story and a good lesson in it as well concerning how to break a cycle of escalating violence. I congratulate the author on making this timely point so well.

I recommend this book for both adults and children.

Star-Spangled Manners

This is a book by Judith Martin (aka Miss Manners) on the history of American manners.

Although there were some interesting points in the book, they were few and far between. The writing was convoluted as was the logic of the arguments made in too many instances. Ms. Martin seemed cynical and sarcastic in an excessive number of places. I also did not appreciate many of her comments and things she implied regarding southern manners.

It is beyond me how she got the positive reviews cited in the book.

If you want my opinion, do NOT read this book!