Subtitle: The Harrowing Saga of a Donner Party Bride
Brown looks at the events that led to and resulted fDigital audiobook narrated by Michael Prichard
Subtitle: The Harrowing Saga of a Donner Party Bride
Brown looks at the events that led to and resulted from the infamous Donner Party trapped in a blizzard in the mountains near present day Lake Tahoe. I think that most people today have at least heard of the Donner Party, and for most of us the single thing we remember is their descent into cannibalism, but Brown gives us a more complete picture. We learn of their goals, hopes, and dreams, of their preparations and survival skills. We also learn about their mistakes and disagreements.
He chose to focus on one particular young woman, Sarah Graves, who was a 21-year-old newlywed when the group, which included her new husband, her parents and younger siblings, set out from Illinois bound for California, and who survived the ordeal. Brown did extensive research, interviewing descendants, pouring over historical reports, and actually replicating parts of the journey so that he could get a real sense of walking through waist-high fields of prairie grasses, experience the blinding whiteness of walking across salt flats in summer, feel the bitter wind of a snowstorm in the mountains. This made the tale more personal, even visceral, and helped this reader feel connected to Sarah and the entire Donner party.
Michael Prichard does a marvelous job of performing the audiobook. Nonfiction – even narrative nonfiction – can be dry at times but his delivery kept me engaged and interested in hearing the story. ...more
Sicily Jordan has looked forward to middle school, when she and her besties – they call themselves the Tether Squad, since they met playing tet3.5***
Sicily Jordan has looked forward to middle school, when she and her besties – they call themselves the Tether Squad, since they met playing tetherball – will coordinate their outfits and compare teachers as they move from classroom to classroom for various subjects. But just a week or so before school starts she gets an email informing her that she will be enrolled in the new Shirley Chisholm Middle School. Now she’ll have no friends and won’t know any of the teachers! To make matters worse, the new school has a uniform, so all the cute outfits she’s planned will be staying in her closet.
I thought this was really delightful. Sicily’s troubles range from “new school” blues to bullying to navigating a first crush to family drama around her chosen hairstyle to racism (both overt and more subtle). She frequently feels alone and without a support system, though, in reality, she does have friends and family who care about her, want to support her, and encourage her to follow her dreams.
I like the way Burgess dealt with Sicily’s conflicts with her grandmother, as well as the way she portrayed the girl’s awakening to her family’s background and culture as Black Panamanians.
I’m going to recommend this to a couple of young ladies I know. ...more
Of course, I knew Hattie McDaniel as the actor who portrayed “MaBook on CD performed by Lynnette R Freeman 3.5***
Subtitle: A Novel of Hattie McDaniel
Of course, I knew Hattie McDaniel as the actor who portrayed “Mammy” in the movie of Gone With the Wind. Tate’s novel begins with the Oscar ceremony when McDaniel won for best supporting actress, beating her co-star and fellow nominee, Olivia de Haviland (who played Melanie Hamilton Wilkes). But Hattie McDaniel was so much more than just her portrayal of Mammy, and Tate gives us all of her.
The reader learns about the struggles specific to Black actors to be seen and to avoid stereotypes. The subtle ways McDaniel and other Black actors tried to provide the characters they portrayed with more complexity and dignity, despite the restrictions imposed by general prejudice and Jim Crow laws, as well as the studio contracts typical of the era. They were vilified by the more strident leaders of the NAACP as being traitors to their race. But what were they to do? Refuse to work?
McDaniel wasn’t having it. She worked hard and smart to keep her star shining bright in the Hollywood firmament. And she refused to apologize for the roles she took. She had friendships with Bette Davis and Clark Gable. She was an accomplished singer and radio personality. And she had a strong bond with her best friends and fellow performers: Ruby Berkley Goodwin, Lillian Randolph, and Louise Beavers.
She successfully fought the restrictive real estate covenants, allowing many other minority families to purchase homes in more desirable neighborhoods. She threw lavish parties. And she did what she could to help new rising stars such as Dorothy Dandridge and Lena Horne. Still, she had to take what she could get in terms of roles, and frequently saw her best scenes edited out and thrown on the cutting room floor.
Having read this book, I have a new appreciation for the trailblazing McDaniel and other Black actors of her generation did.
Lynnette R Freeman does a fine job of performing the audiobook. She is not a mimic, however, so the voices she used for some of the more famous personalities really missed the mark. ...more
Evie doesn’t believe in love anymore. Not after she found her father in the arms of his lover, and her parents subsequently divorced. But then on a trEvie doesn’t believe in love anymore. Not after she found her father in the arms of his lover, and her parents subsequently divorced. But then on a trip to a little free library, she comes across an unusual volume – “Instructions for Dancing.” It’s a manual and the flyleaf says it’s the property of a dance studio, so she decides to return it to the studio. The next thing she knows, Evie is paired with a boy named X, learning to waltz, fox-trot and tango. Oh, and she’s acquired an unusual ability to see a couple’s love story just by witnessing them kissing.
This is a charming YA romance with a young couple who have multiple family issues they have to navigate. I like that Yoon gives us reasons why Evie is so reluctant to give herself over to the potential of falling in love. I also really liked X. He’s a steady presence and a genuinely lovely young man – tender, accomplished, forward thinking, a gentleman. These two young people really shine.
However, I think Yoon could have left out the “visions” that Evie has when she spots a couple kissing. They just didn’t really support the story, in my opinion. Although, I suppose I understand the message of enjoying the moment and not over-thinking the future. ...more
This work of historical fiction begins in 1938. Three young women – Helen Fong, Grace Lee and Ruby Tom – meet Digital audiobook narrated by Jodi Long
This work of historical fiction begins in 1938. Three young women – Helen Fong, Grace Lee and Ruby Tom – meet just as the World’s Fair is set to begin on Treasure Island. They’re from different backgrounds but all are drawn to the glamorous Forbidden City nightclub by their dreams of success. World War II will soon interrupt their career paths, and their friendship will suffer, but they will endure. See follows the young women through the war years and includes an epilogue set in 1988.
I really enjoyed this book. I was in vested in these young women and their aspirations. While my background is different from theirs, we share the push/pull of traditional culture (and the expectations that result) vs the desire to see our dreams fulfilled. I loved, also, the detail See included from costumes to scenery to social issues – these elements really took me back to this era and culture.
See invented her heroines and the majority of characters, but includes a number of actual performers / entertainers of the time period. She did extensive research, including many in-person interviews with now elderly past performers on the “Chop Suey Circuit.”
Jodi Long does a marvelous job of narrating the audiobook. I admit, however, that I sometimes didn’t pay close enough attention to which character was narrating which chapter. (See does state the character at the beginning of each chapter.) Until I got used to the constant changing of point of view, I found myself occasionally confused. That was my fault, not Long’s narration. ...more
Book on CD performed by Bahni Turpin & Robbie Daymond 3.5***
From the book jacket: My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I’m allergic to thBook on CD performed by Bahni Turpin & Robbie Daymond 3.5***
From the book jacket: My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla. But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window and I see him.
My reactions: This YA romance had some significant serious issues to discuss. Can love (even teenage love) conquer all? Yoon certainly makes a good case.
I really liked Maddy (Madeline Whittier). She’s intelligent and mostly serene. She’s come to accept her very limited world and hasn’t really “missed” what she can’t have. Until now, of course. Olly is more complex and guarded. His family situation is fraught with drama and it’s understandable that he’d want to keep some things to himself. Still …
What starts as messages taped to windows, and progresses to texting and IMing, must inevitably lead to meeting in person. Each of these teens has some significant issues to deal with on their own, and sharing their struggles brings them closer together. They come to trust in and support one another in a very nice, somewhat naïve way. Of course, things can’t possibly go smoothly for these star-crossed lovers.
There were some things that bothered me in the plot, mostly dealing with the reality of how things might happen. But I was willing to go along for the ride because I really liked both Maddy and Olly. I guessed the big secret ahead of the reveal, but still liked how Yoon handled it. And I liked the way these teens interacted with one another and their families.
Bahni Turpin and Robbie Daymond do an excellent job of voicing the audiobook. They really brought these teens to life for me. I’m glad, however, that I had the text handy, which includes a number of illustrations which just don’t translate well to audio format. ...more
Book on CD performed by Kim Mai Guest, Shannon McManus, MacLeod Andrews, and Robbie Daymond 3.5***
Five high school students are found with cell phonesBook on CD performed by Kim Mai Guest, Shannon McManus, MacLeod Andrews, and Robbie Daymond 3.5***
Five high school students are found with cell phones in class, which is a violation of class rules. All claim the phones are not their own, but their teacher still requires them all to go to detention. While together in the room, but without the teacher present, one of the students dies. As it turns out there are significant questions about how this happened and the police are involved. Who did it?
This was a twisty mystery and the students surprised me with their insight and tenacity in trying to clear their names. Of course, there is the usual teenage drama as well: getting into college, sports, relationships, parents, bullying, social media, etc. There are also issues of dysfunctional families, and racism. Surprisingly I didn’t think all this teen drama distracted from the central plot. I certainly was kept guessing and didn’t figure out the culprit until the author chose to reveal the truth.
The audiobook is wonderfully performed by a quartet of talented voice artists. I’m not sure which artist performed which chapters, other than that the women voiced the teen girls and the men voiced the teen boys. ...more
A rom-com set in the Napa Valley. Natalie Vos has returned to her family vineyard after a failed financial gamble in New York City, and a broken engagA rom-com set in the Napa Valley. Natalie Vos has returned to her family vineyard after a failed financial gamble in New York City, and a broken engagement. August Cates is also in Napa, having promised his late friend (and fellow Navy SEAL) that he’d fulfill his dream of opening a vineyard. They hate each other but agree to a sham marriage so that she can get her trust fund (to return to NYC), and he can get a business loan to continue his efforts in Napa.
So, there’s a kernel of a cute idea here. But these two are so NOT interesting. Natalie is a whiny, spoiled brat who mistakes lust for love. August is clearly suffering some PTSD, and also prone to “thinking with his dick.” The fact that his actions make this obvious isn’t enough for Bailey, though. She has to tell us this at least twenty times.
Of course, they have hot sex and achieve multiple orgasms. But these scenarios are so ridiculously unbelievable that I found them tedious to read. With two exceptions … Loved these descriptions: ”August’s climax was like reaching land after parachuting at night into the ocean.”
And perhaps the best (or at least most entertaining) metaphor I’ve ever encountered: ”She rode on a rainbow unicorn over the Milky Way and waved at an astronaut.”
The book gets 1 star for those two descriptions. ...more
CJ Katsuyama never seems to meet her Type-A mother’s expectations. She’s not super smart, or talented at mBook on CD performed by Joy Osmanski 3.5***
CJ Katsuyama never seems to meet her Type-A mother’s expectations. She’s not super smart, or talented at music, art or sports. She’s not a leader at school. She does like helping her aunt Hannah at the family flower shop, though she doesn’t buy into Hannah’s “magic of flowers” theories. Still, she shows a knack for creative and distinctive arrangements. But then her mother decides to sell the shop to the descendant of the racist man who swindled her grandfather out of his property by taking advantage of the USA’s policy to intern Japanese Americans during WW2. Now CJ is fighting mad and determined to make a difference.
This is a charming YA novel about family, social justice, friendship and loyalty. There’s also a little romance thrown in.
CJ is a pretty mature teen. Although she frequently doubts herself, she usually follows her inner compass and makes solid decisions. Of course, this is a young adult novel, so there is bound to be some of the drama typical in teen life – prom-posals, mean girls, cliques, attractions based strictly on looks, best friends who maybe aren’t anymore. There’s also an LGBTQ relationship in the mix; I liked the way CJ handled this.
On the other hand, (view spoiler)[ I was not thrilled with how the author handled CJ’s pregnancy. Not at all sure that needed to be part of the story. (hide spoiler)]
Joy Osmanski does a fine job of narrating the audio version. Her diction is clear, and she sets a good pace. The only difficulty is that there are several flashbacks, and at first, I didn’t catch on and that confused me for several chapters until she went back to it. That isn’t the fault of the narrator, however. But I think I would have been less confused if I had been reading the text rather than listening. ...more
Campoverdi’s memoir details her experiences and that of her family, particularly the women. From growing up poor in a single-parent household with herCampoverdi’s memoir details her experiences and that of her family, particularly the women. From growing up poor in a single-parent household with her grandmother, three aunts, and mother, the author writes about her path from Los Angeles to Harvard to the White House.
She speaks about her anxiety and her feelings of not belonging, her struggles with debilitating panic attacks, and feeling like an imposter. She frames all this in what she calls being “The First and Only.”
Her story is an interesting one, but I didn’t really connect with her experiences, and felt she was not fully identifying the causes of her feelings of inadequacy.
Were it not a book-club selection, I probably would not have picked it up. ...more
Yes, I saw the surprise comedy blockbuster movie when it first came out. I remember little about it. I laughed anSubtitle: The True Story of Airplane!
Yes, I saw the surprise comedy blockbuster movie when it first came out. I remember little about it. I laughed and thought some bits were really hilarious (Mrs Cleaver as the translator!), but I also thought that much of the humor was juvenile typical of middle-school boys.
This is the creators’ memoir of how they came to think of the parody, and their (often naïve) efforts to get it written, produced, cast, made and distributed.
The format is a series of snippets of interviews / memories of not only the Zucker brothers and Jim Abrahams, but also of actors, technicians, and support staff who worked on the film, and a variety of famous people who reacted to the movie when they saw it.
The book is full of photos from the movie, occasionally with captions of dialogue from the scene depicted.
The ZAZ team is from a suburb of Milwaukee, and they recently reappeared in our city for the launch of this book. In fact, one of my friends now owns the house in which the Zucker brothers lived through their teen years. ...more
Digital audiobook narrated by Alexandro Amado and Vanessa Vasquez.
This is a retelling of Shakespeare’s most famous couple, set in San Diego’s thrivingDigital audiobook narrated by Alexandro Amado and Vanessa Vasquez.
This is a retelling of Shakespeare’s most famous couple, set in San Diego’s thriving Mexican-American community. Ramón Montez is the scion of a family fast-food empire. Julieta Campos is a celebrity chef who is determined to save her sea-to-table taqueria from closing. But her new landlord is none other than the charming mariachi she met at the Dia de los Muertos celebration. And worse, his father is the man who stole her mother’s taco recipe decades ago.
Of course, these star-crossed lovers will find a way to join forces despite the bad blood between their families.
I really liked Julieta; she’s intelligent, determined and fiercely loyal to her family and her community. I was not a fan of Ramón’s at first, but he eventually grew on me. I did think that the way Albertson chose to “fix” the central conflict was unrealistic and rushed, but it was still a fast, fun read. And it sure made me hungry for Mexican food (thank heavens I’m about to head to Texas to visit family).
The audiobook is perfectly performed by Alexandro Amado and Venessa Vasquez. Dual narrators was a great choice for this work. ...more
Book number 5 in the Harry Bosch series finds the detective back on the job after a previous suspension. He’s also back onBook on CD read by Dick Hill
Book number 5 in the Harry Bosch series finds the detective back on the job after a previous suspension. He’s also back on homicide and he’s called to the scene of a potential mob hit. The car has been in the woods for a few days and the corpse in the trunk is pretty ripe. Harry and his new partners, Kiz Rider and Jerry Edgar, soon find themselves traveling to Las Vegas to track down leads in the case.
This is a typical Harry Bosch detective mystery. Lots of twists and turns. Lots of Harry battling against the police force bureaucrats that are the bane of his existence. It’s fast-paced and kept me guessing until pretty close to the end. I’m not sure I’m satisfied with the ending, though.
Dick Hill does a great job of narrating. I’ve listened to him voice Harry several times now. However, after the audio arrived from the library I realized it was the abridged version, so I chose to read the book rather than listen. There is an unabridged version that is also narrated by Hill. ...more
From the book jacket: Timothy Carrier, having a beer after work at his friend’s tavern, enjoys drawing custoBook on CD narrated by Rick Ferrone 4****
From the book jacket: Timothy Carrier, having a beer after work at his friend’s tavern, enjoys drawing customers into amusing conversations. But the jittery man who sits next to him tonight has mistaken Tim for someone very different – and passes to him a manila envelope full of cash, a photo of a pretty woman marked for death, and her address. Minutes later, another stranger sits next to Tim. This one is a cold-blooded killer who believes Tim is the man who has hired him. Tim tries to call off the deal, giving the man the money “to do nothing.” But when Tim secretly follows the killer out of the tavern, he gets a shock: the guy is a cop.
My Reactions This thriller just grabbed me. I could not figure out why this woman was targeted, and why the killer was so relentless in his pursuit. Tim is the quintessential good guy. A gentleman, smart, determined, creative and principled. And I loved his mother! Several of the close calls stretch credulity (timelines just didn’t work), but Koontz kept me turning pages (or changing CDs) to see what would happen next.
This was written sixteen years ago, but the whole (view spoiler)[Deep State conspiracy at the end was so reminiscent of recent conspiracy theories floated by a certain former President and his minions that it made me uneasy. So far, # 45 and his crew aren’t anywhere near so smart as Koontz’s characters, so that’s some consolation. (hide spoiler)]
Rick Ferrone does a great job of narrating the audiobook. He is a gifted voice artist and even does a reasonable job of bringing the women characters to life. ...more
This is part of the Poison Apple series for middle-school-aged readers. A young friend introduced me to this series, which she loves. In this episode,This is part of the Poison Apple series for middle-school-aged readers. A young friend introduced me to this series, which she loves. In this episode, the focus is on vampires. While this is book # 8 in the series, it can be read as a standalone.
Ashlee has recently discovered that she is a vampire and is struggling to keep this a secret from her family and friends. A cross-country move from New York to Los Angeles gives her a chance at a fresh start with fewer explanations. But suddenly she’s faced with a clique of popular mean girls, not to mention the bright California sun, and she’s struggling to cope. But when people at school start being attacked, Ashlee realizes she isn’t the only vampire in town and she has to figure out who the bad actor is before her own cover is blown.
It's a fun, fast read. And like other books in the series, the focus is more on the relationships between the characters than on the paranormal aspects. ...more
First book of the Nora Kelly series. (Note: She has made previous appearances in the Pendergast series.)
Nora iBook on CD narrated by Cynthia Farrell.
First book of the Nora Kelly series. (Note: She has made previous appearances in the Pendergast series.)
Nora is a curator at the Santa Fe Archeological Institute and is approached by historian Clive Benton with an opportunity to lead an expedition to find the Donner Party “Lost Camp.” The hook is the rumor of millions of dollars in gold coins buried at the camp site.
Meanwhile, novice FBI agent Corinne Swanson has been assigned the odd case of a grave robbery cum murder. Researching further she finds several other grave robberies, as well as a missing (and presumed murdered) young woman which all have the same connection: the victims were all descendants of one of the Donner Party members.
The body count goes up as a major spring storm is about to completely cut them off. Is the killer one of the archeological team? Someone from the wilderness outfitter’s team? Has someone been following them? And what about the ghost(s)?
Preston and Childs are great thriller writers. They keep the reader turning pages with short sentences and chapters. They increase the tension and suspense by moving back and forth between the two story lines, until they inevitably intersect.
I really liked Nora as a central character, and hope that she continues to work with Special Agent Swanson, too. And now I really need to start reading the Pendergast series! ...more
Three short novels make up this anthology. Candy Cane Murder (Fluke), The Dangers of Candy Canes (Levine) and Candy Canes of Christ2.5*** (rounded up)
Three short novels make up this anthology. Candy Cane Murder (Fluke), The Dangers of Candy Canes (Levine) and Candy Canes of Christmas Past (Meier).
The first is a typical Hannah Swenson cozy. Her sisters and mother help her investigate the murder while her two boyfriends, dentist Norman and policeman Mike either help or warn her to stay out of the investigation. I have to wonder how this woman makes any money when she’s always giving cookies away. The story comes with some tasty recipes, though.
Levine’s entry comes next, and it was the weakest of the trio. Freelance writer Jaine Austen is asked to check into an “accidental” death; seems a suburban neighborhood’s holiday decorating contest has turned deadly. I didn’t like the heroine, I didn’t like the plot.
Candy Canes of Christmas Past revolves around Lucy Stone, her husband and son, who have left the high-stakes world of New York City finance to move to Tinker’s Cove, Maine. But things aren’t going well with the renovations of their farmhouse, and money’s tight. When she spots a sign for a yard sale, Lucy takes a chance and finds a unique artifact – a glass cane. Trying to find out more about it, she heads to the library and uncovers a family mystery. The story was pretty light on the mystery, but was a sweet and charming holiday tale. ...more
Lana Rubison is a high-powered businesswoman in Los Angeles, specializing in real estate deals and developments. Her daughter Beth, works as a 3.5***
Lana Rubison is a high-powered businesswoman in Los Angeles, specializing in real estate deals and developments. Her daughter Beth, works as a nurse at a nursing home and is content to live in a small beach cottage in the Monterey Bay area with her daughter, teenager Jacqueline (Jack). But when Lana has a serious medical emergency, she winds up living with Beth and Jack. And when Jack discovers the body of an environmentalist while leading a group of tourists on a sunset kayak tour, Lana feels compelled to investigate.
I enjoyed this fresh take on the typical whodunit / cozy mystery. The amateur sleuths here are intelligent and reasonable in the risks they take. Of course, they should probably leave the sleuthing to the professionals, but then we wouldn’t have much of a story.
I appreciated that Simon crafted a plot that kept me guessing right up to the reveal. First I thought it was X, then I was sure it was Y, then I went back to X, only to settle on W a few chapters later. I was kept guessing right up to the reveal.
But, what I really enjoyed about the book was the family dynamics. Beth and Lana are frequently at odds, but clearly love one another. And they are both fiercely protective of Jack. I could not help but think back on the often-fraught relationship I had with my own mother. We loved one another but could not live close to one another. And yet, when the need arose, we were there for one another. I still miss her (but wouldn’t want to live together).
The ending of this novel makes me hope for a sequel. I want to know how the Rubicon women navigate the next phase of their journey. ...more
The book jacket synopsis hints at danger in a remote location, not just from the elements but an unexpected presence hiding in the wilderness. But thiThe book jacket synopsis hints at danger in a remote location, not just from the elements but an unexpected presence hiding in the wilderness. But this is so much more than a thriller based on isolation and the fear of the unknown.
Trudy is a highly educated woman, able to argue philosophy (Kant, anyone?) or play a Mozart sonata. Everyone expects she’ll marry her childhood friend, Ernst, and settle down to an upper-middle class life in Milwaukee. But then she meets Ernst’s cousin, Oskar, and everything changes. Oskar is a dreamer with training as an engineer. He’s intent on inventing the next BIG thing and Trudy is caught up in his dreams. He takes a position as an assistant lighthouse keeper on a remote promontory on the California coast, thinking he’ll have plenty of time to work on his invention. So, in fall of 1898 the newlyweds set out to make their own future. Things don’t go as they expected.
Trudy is a wonderful character. She’s intelligent, but also observant and not afraid of some hard work. When the lighthouse keeper’s wife suggests (demands?) that Trudy serve as a schoolteacher for the keeper’s children, she takes on the challenge. But the children have much to teach her as well.
Oskar, on the other hand, is a real piece of work. I guess I can understand how his enthusiasm and apparent drive to make a real impact on the world could have seduced her, but how could Trudy keep forgiving him and supporting him when his true colors became evident. I saw the climactic scene coming a mile off, though I still enjoyed reading it and seeing how Schwarz would craft this denouement.
The character that most surprised me was Euphemia (Mrs. Crawley). She was a rock, a pillar of strength, and when push came to shove, she supported and helped Trudy, her children, and Helen. She loved her brother, yes, but she recognized his failings and ultimately would not make excuses for him. Brava. ...more
Digital audiobook performed by Sneha Mahan and Vikas Adam.
This is a cute YA romcom featuring two young Indian-American students who are trying to keepDigital audiobook performed by Sneha Mahan and Vikas Adam.
This is a cute YA romcom featuring two young Indian-American students who are trying to keep their parents happy while pursuing their own dreams.
Dimple Shah has her own dreams, and they do NOT include allowing her mother to pressure her into an arranged marriage with an “ideal Indian husband.” Still she’s surprised when her parents agree to pay for her attendance at a summer conference for aspiring web designers.
Rishi Patel is a dutiful son, and a hopeless romantic. He actually welcomes having his parents arrange his romance. So, he is happy to attend the summer program (though he has only a passing interest in web design) because his “future bride” will be there.
Things get off to a rocky start, but their friendship slowly builds to something more … or does it? Told in alternating viewpoints, Menon gives the reader a satisfying and balanced romance.
Sneha Mahan and Vikas Adam take turns narrating the audiobook. They really bring these characters to life. Very effective audio performance. ...more