Tyger, Tyger, Burning...Hostile? Vengeful? Really Angry?

This is partly a book rec and partly a test to see if the ever-talented and patient Chairman Ann solved my persistent can't-post-myself problem.

The Tiger, by John Vaillant, is the polar (OK, excuse the animal metaphor thing-y going on here) opposite of a fluffy book. And it's not even a novel--it's a true story. Sigh.

It goes without saying that if it wasn't this month's P-Town book group selection, I'd never consider reading it but...that's what book groups are for. Making you read books you'd normally kick to the curb.

Haven't finished it yet, but it's surprisingly an easy and interesting read. Picture a mystery where the bad guy is a Siberian tiger with the vengeful memory of an elephant. The victim is a deep-woods poacher with bad judgment. The detective is the head of the terretorial animal preservation agency with really laudable instincts and an appreciation of the true natures of both beasts and poachers. Wtih a flexible moral code.

Plus, it's only 300 pages long. Almost as long as my customary review, so, Chairman Ann, I'm going to aim this time for brevity. I think it's worth a read.

Caleb's Crossing is a great read. I got hooked on Geraldine Brooks after reading People of the Book. As soon as I read the review of Caleb's Crossing in the NYT, I downloaded it to the Kindle - all from my bed on a Sunday morning. This is a great historical novel, but it does not get bogged down in historical facts. She does a remarkable job drawing out the characters and placing them in the right time, but with universal personalities. I had started the book, but I really made great progress when I flew to Phoenix and back to DC in less than 48 hours. I was so involved in the story on the flight back that I did not fall asleep, even though I was exhausted.

I don't make a recommendation about the medium - my only recommendation is to read it!