Random Post for Thanksgiving

Secret Thread readers,

It's been a long time since I offered anything of value on this blog. I did post my review of Wright's 'The Amalgamation Polka', but that was something I had written previously and not exclusively for this blog. Just want to say I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving holiday.

Duke hasn't updated the books in a little bit, but I have completed reading McCullough's 'John Adams', which was a huge but worthwhile book on the nation's second President. A fascinating life, fascinating man. No one can top David McCullough for substantive, detailed, yet readable history books. He's the king of the genre for this age, and after many decades and two Pulitzer Prizes, among other awards, I'd say David McCullough has earned his status and his sales. If you haven't read McCullough but take an interest in reading history at least on some occasions - for me it's an uncommon alternative, but I enjoy it - you owe it to yourself to check out his numerous books. They are ALL interesting. Particularly recommended is his thrilling and facsinating '1776'. If you're an American who reads, you oughta read this book.

In the interim I also dived into and completed 'The Stories of Breece D'J Pancake' that Duke had so highly recommended on this blog (see his excellent post, 'A Troubled Guest on the Dark Earth'). Bottom line: Duke was right to recommend these stories so enthusiastically. In Breece Pancake we had, for the briefest time, a truly gifted and visionary writer. His stories are very bleak, and if you don't go for that kind of fiction, the sort that doesn't necessarily leave you feeling good, you may not appreciate Pancake's fiction. But for those interested in the best American literature has to offer, and/or in the form of the short story, and/or in fiction that bravely probes the darkest corners of the heart - if you are into any of these things, you cannot and really should not avoid Breece Pancake, sooner or later. These stories pack a tremendous punch.

I would list what I am reading presently, but in a way it is 'research' for a book I might get Duke for Christmas, and I don't want to give it away. Let's just say it's a long and mysterious novel from the 1960s. After that I plan to tackle Albert Camus' 'The Plague' before I take on Charles Dickens' 'Martin Chuzzlewit'.

BUT - all of this might take me a long time, and I hate to say that this may be my final blog at least for a little while. There is a GOOD reason for this. I, Mutt Ploughman, am anxiously awaiting the birth of my second child, which could annouce that is ready to be born at literally any moment here. I already have one precious little girl who is 2 1/2; this one may be my second daughter or first son. Stay tuned! This Thanksgiving, I obviously have a great deal to be thankful for, and I am thankful to the Lord for His blessings. Happy Thanksgiving, Happy Reading, keep it up Secret Thread readers, and I will be back, a father times two, as soon as I can get enough time in the day to offer up something new!