Anita's ( Figs) reading path in 2023 #7

Fall has arrived! The leaves are changing and the smell of pumpkin spice is everywhere :) Welcome to my 7th thread.

My rating system is as follows:

1 = Very Very bad. Either I could not finish the novel, or the plot was ill-conceived

2= Still bad. I managed to finish the book. It was probably boring, unoriginal or poorly written (D)

3= Solid. There was character development, the pace was probably slow or parts of the book were well thought out. Still had the ability to make me think or at the very least want to continue reading, however, something was missing or could have been further developed. Slightly better than average. (C+ or B- or B+)

Subdivided into: Shaky ( barely got there), loose ( average) and solid ( just not quite there for a 3.5 or 4) ( B+)

4= Excellent read. I probably couldn't put the book down till it was finished. The Pace was spot on, complex characters, made me think in a different way and so on ( A -)

5= Absolutely perfect!

Books Read in January



The last beekeeper was a great read. A good debut novel and is still memorable from all the reads this month.

Books Read In February



Favorites: Foster and ghost music. Honourable mention: The sisters of auschwitz.

Books Read in March



Best 3 in no particular order: Kaykeyi, Half of a yellow sun, Hester

Books Read in April



Favorite of the Month: The White Hare

Books Read In May


Best: The Boy with a bird in his chest

Books Read In June



Best: Camp Zero-I know it surprised me too considering my initial thoughts

Books Read In July

Favourite read from the past



Katie Daubs: The Missing Millionaire

On December 2nd, 1919, Ambrose Small vanishes without a trace. Plenty of suspects have motive to silence him as he has cheated many. Did the millionaire take on a new identity, or was he murdered?

A great mystery that is based on actual fact. A piece of Toronto's history that I knew nothing about.

“No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace as I have seen in one autumnal face.”—John Donne

Welcome!

Happy new one, Anita!

Happy new thread, Anita!

>14 jessibud2: That was quick! Have some pie for being first



>15 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie :)

99. Dena Schrock: Behind Closed Doors

A very short account of how Dena grew up in the Amish community and what lead her to a different path away from most of the family she knew.

It was interesting however the author did not "reveal" too much. Very respectful of her family and it felt as if she was careful about what to write.

Happy Mid week!

It is a hot day today. Temperatures will feel past 30C. I have errands to run and should at some point do some garden work. My back feels better so that certainly will make the work easier. I am quite behind with indoor stuff but it's ok. I will putter along and do what I feel like ;)

Dinner will be pan seared salmon with fried rice and salad on the side. Canadian Thanksgiving is this weekend but I have not figured out what to cook. I want to host it this year as my parents have enough on their plate. I won't make a whole turkey but perhaps turkey schnitzel is a good idea. Perhaps something different like a herbed lamb filet. I will see what ideas my guests have and go from there.

Happy new thread!

Happy new thread, Anita!

>19 foggidawn: Thanks, Foggi and >20 curioussquared: Natalie!

Happy New Thread, Anita! Turkey Schnitzel sounds delicious! We’ll be having a family dinner at my sister’s , and I’ll be taking along a Chocolate Diplomat cake( from the bakery) and my husband has some wine to take . My sister Kathleen hosts the dinner -with her husband- and she makes the Turkey, mashed potatoes and has buns , and the rest of bring along veggies, dessert , other side dishes . It’s a lot of fun!

Oh, that is hot! It was up to 18 C here, and I thought that was nice!

Happy new thread, Anita. x

Happy new thread, Anita!

>22 vancouverdeb: Chocolate diplomat cake.....sounds delicious! How nice that everyone contributes something to the meal. Sounds like a relaxing and wonderful time with family.

>23 vancouverdeb: The temps won't last. I think the weekend will be more autumnal. I did pick more tomatoes today and will probably make a soup.

>24 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul.

>25 bell7: Thanks!

Happy new thread Anita!

Happy new thread Anita!

>27 quondame: Thanks, Susan and>28 SirThomas: Thomas!

Thursday!

I finished reading Hollow Bamboo last night. I have a few other books on the go that I hope to complete as well. I suppose it just depends on my mood.

Today is my parents wedding anniversary. Since my dad is unable to drive yet after surgery I was given the task to pick some things up after work. I noticed that my mom already baked a cake. They are celebrating 48 years!

I managed to pick a lot of ripe tomatoes from the garden. Even so late in the season they are nice and sweet. I will probably make tomato soup with fresh mint and make a gourmet grilled cheese with it for supper.

Work is getting a little more challenging as there are entire wigs on lockdown due to covid. I am crossing my fingers that the situation does not get worse and that everyone follows procedure so it does not spread any further.

This one was a tough one for me!

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Happy new thread, Anita!

>30 figsfromthistle: Glad to hear your garden is still producing so well. And congrats to your parents on their anniversary! 48 years is impressive!

Happy new thread Anita!

>30 figsfromthistle: Ooh; tomato soup with mint sounds interesting. The recipe I use has basil.

>12 figsfromthistle: Book title that I thought was in my WL... only wasn't. Is now. Glad you posted it again. Compelling to me what with it having an actual basis in Toronto.

Re: earlier thread, this remedy has never been offered. My physio person is very good at releasing the tight muscles, so I go with that for now. Good to know about the injections option.

I'm currently reading The Vintage Shop of Second Chances (a BB on Kerry's thread (aka CDVicarage) and will also progress with Last Call at the Nightingale, a series I discovered on foggidawn's thread last month.
Both are engaging so far.

I trade reading each of them, because Katharine Schellman's story ramps up the suspense very effectively which pushes me to take a break. The pandemic did a number on my resilience.

Happy New thread!

>31 atozgrl: Thanks! I suspect that the garden will dwindle down once the cold blast of air comes in this weekend. It's supposed to last a while.

>32 humouress: Yes, basil makes a great pairing with tomatoes. I can't say that I use a recipe. I usually wing it. Sometimes I make the soup a little spicy it just depends on my mood and who is going to eat it.

>33 SandyAMcPherson: Both of your current reads sound like good ones! I will have to see what you think about them when you are finished reading. My reading moods change a lot. Sometimes I want popular fiction and other times I can handle more "serious" reads.

>34 Storeetllr: Thank you :)

Happy new thread, Anita.

>36 Kristelh: Thanks, Kristel

>40 msf59: Congratulations to your parent's on 48 years of marriage! Oh no, on wings being locked down at the hospital. That's not fun for anyone.

>38 vancouverdeb: My parents were very young when they were married and grew "together" instead of apart. They are quite a cute pair!

Thankfully, the Covid situation at work is beginning to get better.

Happy Friday, Anita. Happy New Thread. We are really cooling off here. It may not hit 60F (15C) this weekend.
I am enjoying a 2nd Jackson Day today. Yah!

>40 msf59: Thanks, Mark! It is cooling off here as well. Today is supposed to be warm but it is rainy. Enjoy your second Jackson day!

100. William Ping: Hollow Bamboo

William Ping is feeling nervous meeting his girlfriends parents. He knows that they will want an exceptional man but more specifically an exceptional man with a Asian background. As you can imagine, the dinner does not go well. William feels disconnected to his roots and his future in laws can't see past his translucent skin. Both sides are stuck with their own prejudices. William has an accident which brings a spirit to him. The spirit transports him to a time where his great grandfather immigrated to Newfoundland in search of a better life. It is here where the story becomes autobiographical. Williams history is revealed along with Canadian history. This section is very well done. The author shows the difficult atmosphere the immigrants faced at that time. Many micro aggressions and serious racism and too often violence were part of the daily life.

I was relieved when William's first person narration was taken away by the spirit and he became an observer instead. This is also where the so called humorous writing stopped ( which I did not find funny or "get" in the first place). There is a lot that the reader can interpret from this story and there are subtle and not subtle layers to discover. Overall a great debut novel that was sometimes a bit strange.

3.5/5 ( A-)

Happy new thread, Anita

>43 ArlieS: Thanks, Arlie :)

Happy Thanksgiving, Canadian friends.

>45 richardderus: Nice to see you here.
Thanks,Richard *smooch*

Happy Thanksgiving, yesterday!

Happy Thanksgiving, Anita! I hope you don't have to work all of the long weekend.

We're having a very warm weekend here with highs around 21-23°C forecasted from now until Tuesday so we might end up with some of our guests having dinner on the deck when we do dinner tomorrow.

>47 Kristelh: Thanks! You are not late as the "official" holiday is on Monday :)

>48 MickyFine: Thanks! I do have to work this weekend but have Monday off. Lucky for you that the weather is nice to enjoy dinner on the deck. Just plain cold here and raining. Enjoy your time with the family.

Wishing my fellow Canadian LT friends a wonderful thanksgiving weekend. May it be filled with good food and great company!

Happy new thread, Anita!

Sorry you had such warm weather, the same here. I hope the real fall comes soon.

>30 figsfromthistle: Congratulations on your parents 48th anniversary!

>51 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita! Welcome back. I quite enjoyed the warm weather but it was unusual for this time of the year. Now the temperatures really plunged to 6C overnight and it is rainy ( perfect reading weather).

Sunday

Rain...rain and a dash of cold. I am beginning to think that I really should have taken my parents advice and get my snow tires on last week. I am sure that the "rush" won't be bad next week as most are not thinking about snow yet.

Yesterdays dinner was great. I made a vegetable soup and my mom made traditional apple strudel. It was a great combination. Today after work I will begin with some prep work for tomorrows meal as I did offer to be the host. Not too many of us so it shouldn't be overly taxing.

I finished reading The house keepers by Alex Hay. It was one of 7 library holds that came due to pick up at the same time. The holds are tricky as for a a while there is nothing and then bam! I get it all.

Glad you don't have to work the whole weekend at least, Anita.

We're hosting Thanksgiving for my family as well but we assign dishes to everyone so we (mostly Mr. Fine) don't have to do all the cooking. I hope your shift flies by today!

I hope your shift goes by swiftly and that tomorrow's dinner is a success!

Hi Anita my dear, Happy New Thread my dear friend.

>54 MickyFine: That's a great way to celebrate thanksgiving! Everyone contributes a dish...now who does the washing up? ;) Enjoy the dinner.

>55 EBT1002: Thanks!

>56 johnsimpson: Thank you, John.

101. Alex Hay: The Housekeepers

Mrs. King is a housekeeper for a large wealthy household. When things become personal she is dismissed. This dismissal is necessary as Mrs King assembles some talented thieves to rob the place on the very night a grand ball is to be held. The question of why becomes clearer as the story unfolds.

This really sounded like a great adventure/action read. It was a really slow buildup. 3/4 of the book was about assembling a team, learning each others motives and secrets and planning the heist. I think this is probably better as an audiobook.

3/5 ( B-) Enjoyable but perhaps best to borrow from the library.

Hope that you have had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend, Anita. Does it spill over into Monday?

>59 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul. It does spill over into Monday as that is when the actual holiday is.

>57 figsfromthistle: Mr. Fine and my Mom did most of the clean up but it largely wasn't too bad this year.

Happy newish thread, Anita. And Happy Thanksgiving.

>61 MickyFine: Sounds like a good deal!

>62 BLBera: Thank you :)

>58 figsfromthistle: More business for the library, then! *smooch*

>64 richardderus: The library is a great resource and important to support :)

Now Happy Thanksgiving, Anita!

I love that you're reading a lot and having family time too. I wish that COVID flare may quickly die down everywhere. Take care!

Happy Thanksgiving, Anita! 🍂🍁🥮

Happy Thanksgiving, Anita :) >58 figsfromthistle: Good thing I have this one on hold as an audiobook!

Happy Thanksgiving Anita my dear.

A very belated "Happy Thanksgiving" and happy new thread, Anita!

>66 LizzieD: Thanks, Peggy!

>67 Storeetllr: Thank you :)

>68 curioussquared: Let me know how the audiobook is when you get to it!

>69 johnsimpson: Thanks, John.

>70 alcottacre: Thanks! The last of the dishes are all washed. Dinner was really held mid afternoon and went quite well.

Happy Thanksgiving, Anita! We had a great time with family yesterday . Today we are just taking it easy. It's nice!

>72 vancouverdeb: Thanks! I am glad you had a wonderful thanksgiving and were able to relax a bit.

Happy Tuesday!

Thanksgiving is done and I managed to only have a bit of leftovers. Everything went well and it was nice to just exist and relax with family.

Today is supposed to be my normal long work day but because of the holiday I only have to work in the afternoon today :) I shall use the time to catch up on household things as it appears to be a rainy/cold day.

I have begun to read a few books- The last sinner by Jackson, Journal of Helene Berr and Woman, Captain, Rebel

My little kitten is doing well. She has begun to eat some solid food now. I have not come up with a name yet as I need to wait and see what type of personality it develops.

Glad your Thanksgiving festivities went well! Wait, I missed a kitten somehow?

>75 ursula: Hi Ursula! Thanks!

Ah yes my cat had a kitten.... ( 4 or 5 weeks ago) I have not posted a picture yet.

Hi, Anita. I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving. Enjoy those leftovers. It definitely feels like fall here but the trees are changing and the views are gorgeous. Have a good week.

>77 msf59: Hi Mark! Thanks! The views here are fall like as well. I quite enjoy this time of the year.

Ooh, I definitely wouldn't be opposed to some kitten pictures when you get the chance ;)

>79 curioussquared: I will have to take some :)

>58 figsfromthistle: I purchased The Housekeepers several weeks ago, so too late for me. I'm in the mood for something spooky, but I need to read Chop Suey Nation for a library book club next week. Yes to kitten pictures! I was just going to ask the name of your kitten, but I see it is a work in progress.

>81 vancouverdeb: I think that The housekeepers is one that you will enjoy when you get to it. Close to halloween I do enjoy a little horror/ spooky read as well. I just don't read a lot of it so I will most likely have to visit a few threads where there are plenty of spooky reads to choose from. The kittens name won't be picked out until it shows a bit of its personality.

102. Lisa Jackson: The Last Sinner

Detective Bentz thought that he killed the rosary killer in the swamp a long time ago. However, when murders begin to happen with the same M.O he begins to believe that he is alive. Is he the same person who attacked his daughter? Or is there another killer on the loose who has a personal vendetta against the McKnight family?

#9 in the New Orleans series

>78 figsfromthistle: I'm a great fan of autumn. Love the cooler nights and the golden sunshine. Could certainly do with a good rainfall of course. Western Canada is terribly dry, but this is likely a harbinger of trends worsening.

On that "happy" thought, I just noticed you have passed the 100-book count. Excellent reading progress. Was that your original aim? I reached Book #90 this past weekend (The Reluctant Widow). It was a re-read ~ I found it more amusing than previously, though the MC still strikes me as rather whiny).

>84 SandyAMcPherson: My original goal is the same of the 75ers-to reach 75 books. However, I usually read more. It just depends on the year. Congrats on reading 90 books! I have not read anything by Heyer. Perhaps I will add that one to my list. Is it more of a romance?

>74 figsfromthistle: A kitten? Like Ursula, I missed that too.

Have a wonderful Wednesday, Anita!

>86 alcottacre: Thanks! I hope your mid week is going splendidly :)

>87 figsfromthistle: Thanks, Anita. So far, so good!

>88 alcottacre: Nice!

It's Thursday....

The garden is beginning to look a bit sad. I still have tomatoes but I think I will have to put a dome over them as the nights are chilly ( 4C ). I am also going to have to plant garlic soon. The endive lettuce is growing well. Most of the scarlet runner beans have been picked but I do have a few that are still green. The second apple tree in the backyard is ready to be picked and I still have half a pint of raspberries every day. I have have a row of spinach to take off. I will have to see how much I get done after work today. I should cut the grass as well but we'll see.

I don't feel like cooking today so I think I will put a pizza in the oven and make a salad with it.

Yesterday I changed my summer tires to winter ones. I needed two new ones as they were bald. I thought it may be too early in the season but I am glad it's done now. I avoided the rush and I was able to get good tires and fast service.

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I'm getting my winter tires put on Monday. It's still a bit warm here for them but Canadian Tire had a deal so a little early it is. It's cool enough in the mornings for them at least.

>91 MickyFine: Now you have one less thing to think about when the really cold weather hits!

>90 figsfromthistle: A pizza from the oven and salad is cooking. Actually taking something other than condiments from the refrigerator for a meal counts as cooking in my book.

>93 quondame: Ha! I worked very hard on it ;) It was a nice change and quite welcome because after work my car would not start and I had to wait for CAA to give me a boost. I really had no patience for cooking an elaborate meal.

I think you would really enjoy The Bee Sting, when you get a chance to get to it. It's really a great read. So much going on with each character, particularly the husband and wife, Dickie and Imelda.

Glad you have your winter tires on. Sorry you needed to call CAA for a boost. They can take so long.

>95 vancouverdeb: Actually, CAA came within the hour. The boost itself only took 3 minutes. I will most likely get them to come out and replace my battery. They come directly to the house.

I put the bee sting on hold at the library. They are still in the process of ordering the book and I am first in line when it goes through cataloguing.

I feel you on the just-above-freezing temperatures and sad tomatoes!

>97 The_Hibernator: Sadly, the season is at it's end. In general it was a good garden year. Also it was a bumper crop for fruit.

Saturday!

Yesterday was a whirlwind of a day. Busy at work and after, I had a lot of appointments and such. I managed to sit down and eat just in time to watch Jeopardy at 7:30PM. It was a long day ( 5AM wake up).

I also had a new car battery installed . The person who came to my home was friendly but had strange conversation. The fist thing he asked when he stepped out of the car was if I have security cameras. What does that have to do with my car battery? It was followed by a few more questions and comments that made me feel uncomfortable. Perhaps I was being overly sensitive and cautious. Then the mobile terminal did not work so I had to pay with cheque and he said he was going to e mail a receipt. I assumed he could not give me a physical copy. I texted him to remind him about my receipt and he texted a bit later that he left a physical copy at my front door. So why did he not give me one from the get go? This just means that he came onto my property without notifying me. Which makes me think....is he scoping out the place? Anyhow like I said it was strange but it's probably nothing.

I am close to finishing a few books. Every time I am close to the end I start another one *sigh*

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>99 figsfromthistle: - That is strange, Anita, and would set off all sorts of alarm bells for me. Do take care.

Anita, if this guy was from CAA, I would call them and report this. Ask if it's normal to be asked about having a security camera and if your answer had been yes, why would that have made a difference. And why was it necessary to return to your property twice. Did he wear a name badge? It's a strange world and you can't be too careful. You have every right to ask those questions and receive answers. CAA is supposedly a reputable company and if this is not normal behaviour, they need to know. If the guy did not have name ID on him, then then should still be able to know (or find out) who was sent to do the job at your home.

And it probably isn't a bad idea to get an outdoor security camera that has motion detection.

>99 figsfromthistle: I agree with Katie and Shelley. It sure sounds shady to me. Call CAA and make some inquiries. It can’t hurt and it may keep you safe.

>99 figsfromthistle: That is strange behaviour and questions from whomever changed your battery. I’m glad you live next door to your parents. If you are able to contact the company that the fellow came from , I would do so . Take care, Anita.

>100 katiekrug: Hi Katie! I definitely thought it was quite abnormal behaviour.

>101 jessibud2: I told him that there is always someone home, that I have a security system and a dog that bites ( I really don't have a dog). He mentioned that there are a lot of break ins. I said-here in my area? He then said that people in general drive by and see a beautiful house..... and then motioned to mine. He then told me that his buddy had two trucks stolen outside of this area. Perhaps it was just his way of making small chat but I expected more professionalism. CAA hires people ( or subcontracts) them out. However, the conversation made me feel uncomfortable enough that I felt I had to make it clear that I do have security.

>102 Storeetllr: >103 vancouverdeb: What made it strange as well was the payment. The portable machine did not work so I assumed that I would write a cheque to be paid to CAA. He said that it gets made out either to his name or cash and he then gives CAA the money. Either way I will have to phone them and make sure. I do have his name and he did give me a legitimate receipt will CAA logo on it and warranty info.

>104 figsfromthistle: - I would write a cheque to be paid to CAA. He said that it gets made out either to his name or cash and he then gives CAA the money. And what proof would you have of that?

Whoa!! No, no, no. No company as big and legit as CAA would do that, I am sure. Anita, please call them or email them and tell them EVERYTHING that went on. Especially about the payment and also about his first question to you, about a security camera. Copy and paste it from here if that's easier. This guy sounds like a first class con artist. Did you actually give him a cheque? Do you have his name (if it's real)? You may not have a dog but do you actually have a security system?

This whole transaction sound suspect, to me.

>105 jessibud2: I do actually have a security system :)

I will phone CAA and tell them about my interaction and ask about the payment procedure. I did give him a cheque and took a picture of it. I have the the yellow copy of the receipt which indicates I paid by cheque so I think that parts ok and looks legit at least. These days people can be sneaky and it never hurts to be overly cautious.

>85 figsfromthistle: Georgette Heyer's novels fall into at least three themes:

1. Georgian and Regency eras of British society.
There is generally a mild, but unconventional romance in these stories. Heyer was assiduous in keeping to the mores and historical events of the time. However, she always has a very strong female character and some adventures.

2. Murder mysteries: I generally dislike these. YMMV, as folks say on this thread.

3. I think Heyer's strengths lay in her historical adventures and her Regency novels.
An Infamous Army, Royal Escape and The Spanish Bride are examples of the Georgian period and provide good English historicl background..
Certain novels harken to GH's deep knowledge of the wartime histories and strategy, such as the Peninsular war in Spain and some of the novels cover the "100-year" war (1337-1453) which France and Britain held . Titles that I've enjoyed are Simon the Coldheartand Beauvallet.

Dip into what folks rate highly on LT! There is a huge GH following here on this group. Tell us what you think!

>107 SandyAMcPherson: I did not realize that there is such a large GH following. I will have to read something by the end of the year and find out why :) Thank you for the recommendations. I will scroll through and see what catches my eye. There certainly is a lot to choose from.

>107 SandyAMcPherson: >108 figsfromthistle: A whole group I spent years with started out as a group of Heyer fans.

>109 quondame: Oh cool!

Happy Monday!

It another cold/rainy day here. Luckily it's my day off. I do have a lot of errands but I am making a trip to the library and perhaps the bookstore later in the afternoon. I am having lunch with a friend. It will be good to catch up with her.

I finished reading Double Indemnity and watched the first episode of Frasier ( the new one). Has anyone started watching it? For me it's a bit too early to tell if its going to be as good as the original series. I did think that the tribute to John Mahoney was well done.

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103. Robert Whitlow: Double Indemnity

A lawyer and a pastor become entangled in the lives of a wealthy couple. When one of them dies, the pastor becomes a prime suspect. However, there are many who would profit from a ruling of accidental death.

Most of the action happened towards the middle. What was going to happen and who committed the crime becomes quite clear from the beginning. I can't say it really was a "legal thriller" as described on the jacket. It was more of a christian mystery.

3/5 ( C- )

>99 figsfromthistle: I also agree with Mary, Katie and Shelley.
That guy sounds like a creep and your story sure set off alarm bells for me. It was maybe a bit scary, too, because you were perhaps alone when he was there, and maybe live in a quiet neighbourhood.

>113 SandyAMcPherson: It was a weird conversation but sometimes people just don't know what is "appropriate". I am going to give him the benefit of the doubt. I did call CAA to make sure that they received the payment and that turned out fine.

104. Nando Parrado: Miracle in the Andes

Nando Parrado and his rugby team were on the way to Chile to play a rugby exhibition game. It was supposed to be a fun trip, nothing too serious so his mother and sister came long as well. However, things turned out very bad when all of a sudden the plane was ripped in two and they crashed deep into the Andes. The survivors had to think quickly and be inventive about things like shelter, water and food. Eventually Nando decides to climb the mountain to find the tail of the plane and see if he can summon some help.

This is one of those memoirs that packs an emotional punch. Nando is quite candid about his 72 days on the mountain and the toll it took on him emotionally, spiritually and physically.

Recommended

>115 figsfromthistle: The story chills(!) me every time I hear about it...amazing event, and could've been even worse.

Happier week-ahead's reads, Anita.

>116 richardderus: Hi Richard! It is quite amazing that there were any survivors at all. There has been a lot published about the crash and a few film adaptations. It is amazing what one can endure.

>115 figsfromthistle: >116 richardderus: Emotional punch is right!
A story I know I couldn't endure reading. I had only read news reports (no TV or internet in those days for us). That was bad enough.

A similar chilling tale is a true account of a terrible climbing accident. I read Touching the Void many years ago and the story has stuck with me ever since. A colleague at work was actually an acquaintance of Joe Simpson and loaned the book along with telling a few stories of some aftermath incidents. Chilling, absolutely chilling. But not near as awful as the Nando Parrado story, I'm sure.

>118 SandyAMcPherson: I have not heard of Touching the Void. I will look into that. I am a big fan of survivor stories. Nando Parrado was quite honest about his experience and provided a bit of background about certain people. Although it was chilling it was also uplifting. He was able to show both sides equally.