The Gift of the Magi and Other New York Stories by O'Henry

For my "12. A volume of classic short stories" I selected this book. I was first introduced to the short stories of O'Henry (William Sydney Porter) by my 6th grade elementary school teacher. Our textbook included 3 of his stories (The Gift of the Magi, The Last Leaf, and The Ransom of Red Chief). All three plus nine more stories and a biography were in this Kindle edition.

The only ones I didn't enjoy were

1. A Harlem Tragedy,
2. The Voice of the City
3.  The Skylight Room

The ones that I rate as OK were:

1. The Cop and the Anthem
2. The Making of a New Yorker
3. The biography (which included a critique of O'Henry's work)

The ones I really liked were:

1. The Gift of the Magi 
2. The Last Leaf
3. The Ransom of Red Chief
4. The Trimmed Lamp
5. A Retrieved Reformation
6. The Duplicity of Hargraves
7. The Whirligig of Life

Over all it was a great read. Each short story is about a facet of human nature that could easily be dropped in to 2016 and not lose their point. You will find some comedy, tragedy, sacrifice, and love (not just romantic love but love for your fellow human being). Definitely recommend this collection.

"X" by Sue Grafton

Yes, I have read her whole series and enjoy the Kinsey Millhone character. I think I like that there is no romantic side story going on. You would think that by the time the author has gotten to the 24th book in a series it would be very predictable and boring to the point the reader might think that they could have written the new variation on the theme. But I don't feel that is the case for Grafton's mysteries. It was a nice fun read. SPOILER!!! I think the quote at the end of the book sums up the theme: "There's a commonly accepted assumption that the rich are greedy and uncaring and the elderly are frail and ineffectual. This isn't always the case…"

The Martian (the movie)

There was nothing else on TV Saturday night we wanted to see and didn't feel like reading ... so we broke down and paid the $4.99 on pay for view to see this movie. This was one of the best movies I have seen in a long time. Of course we are abit nerdy but loved the suspense and science stuff plus a touch of human relations and psychology. The theme was facing death but not giving up. Would he make it back against great odds or not, you have to see the film!

A 19th Century Classic - The Chimes (1844) by Charles Dickens

When I found out that this story is a New Year’s Eve story not a true Christmas story I thought it would be just the one to  start my 2016 challenge. Of course I have read A Christmas Carol but did not know that it was the first of 5 Christmas stories that Dickens wrote in the 1840’s. The Chimes is the second written in 1844. The Chimes are bells in a church near where the main character Trotty Veck, a messenger, waits for the gentry to employ him to deliver messages. He gets his name from his gate, a fast trot. You can help but continually compare it back to A Christmas Carol. There is the theme of injustice of the rich to the poor of the time, the ghosts, and the flight over the town to see into homes. I think it is fine and worth the read but not as good as the first. I feel a bit like I cheated because it was a quick read, about 4 hours.