Good little book about the history of the museum building. Would highly recommend buying this first and then walking around the museum as it points out interesting bits to see.

Yeah, I never heard of Spijkenisse either until I saw this book at a local bookstore. It is near Rotterdam, like right near Rotterdam. This book is a history of the town's desire to re-invent, redraft, redesign, update - itself and to do that the town decides to do that, in part, by redesigning the library.

This book is about that library, which sounds pretty cool.

The design to build a new library ties into the desire to improve the lives of those living there, to encourage reading among other things. While the book is not a love story to book, it is an interesting book about a library that is a love building to books.

The book's pages are half folded in pages - you unfold them and you get more information about various things, such as the town's history - and this is at once a little annoying, but far more endearing.

It's a really cool book, I must say.

Disclaimer: ARC via Netgalley.

                Pretty pictures.

                This book covers houses largely in the United States, though there is brief trip across the border to Canada.  The houses range from those at Colonial Williamsburg to the Clintons’ house in Arkansas (as well as George W Bush’s childhood home, so the book is bi-partisan).  The focus, as you can see from the title is the decorations that each house displays during the Christmas holiday.  There are, therefore, lots of dressed up trees, mangers, and loud colors.

                There is also quite a bit of history about each house and sometimes about the owners (and no, I’m not just talking about the Clintons here). 

                The decorations range from historically accurate to tasteful to loud.  But that is, in many ways, a matter of taste.  One of the more interesting sections is about Bayou Bend; a house in Houston once lived in by Irma Hogg.  Apparently, each year includes a setting-more along the lines of a story- including ones set during the Civil War or a snow ball fight.  That’s cool.

                Whistler’s house is included in this collection, and you haven’t really seen Whistler’s mother until you’ve seen for the holidays.

                The book is far more than photos.  There is much history, so you will at least learn something.  It’s a quick read.

Disclaimer: ARC via Netgalley.

                Usually when I get approved on Netgalley, I try my best to write at least 250-500 words.  I find that for this book I cannot do so.

                Simply put: This is the best book I have ever read about a church or other building.

                I collect and read Pitkin guides as if they are going out of style.  But this book blasts them all to shame.  I pre-ordered a Kindle copy after reading the digital ARC.

                In this book Margaret Visser gives a complete guide to the church of Sant’Agnese di fuori Mura (in Rome).  Along the way, she deals with church history, art history, architectural history, feminism, martyrs, and ancient history.  It is brilliant. One would think a book of this length on such subject matter would be boring. 

                It’s not.  It’s sheer poetry.

                I never heard of this church before, and Visser makes you feel as if you there, but now I want – I need – to see it.

 If you interested in any of the above topics, please read this book.

I cannot thank Open Road Media enough for re-issuing this for Kindle and for allowing me to read a digital ARC.

                It’s magnificent.

Most likely English is the author's second language, but I don't care.  I picked this up when it was offered free; currently Amazon is list the price at 5.40.

At that price, it shouldn't have so many errors.  There are sentences that go nowhere.  Even after reading them three times they do not make sense.  If English is not your native language, it's not forgive and forget.  You get someone who knows what they are doing to either translate or proofread your work.