Funny that I decided to start this series after reading a short story on a side character in a collection I picked up because Seanan McGuire had a story in it - Harry is very much like October Daye! I'm getting the impression the series is relatively formulaic, but it's a formula I'm really enjoying, so on the next one!

This is my first nonfiction book (beyond memoirs) since law school. The author relocates his family to Salem for the month of October. His tactic towards experiencing Salem and attitude about the trip reminded me so much of my time in Williamsburg. I lived in a townhouse about two blocks from the Williamsburg colonial village for 6 1/2 weeks while attending classes on the William and Mary campus (which is adjacent-to and pretty much part of the colonial village). Like the author I basically grabbed the summer tourist guide and used it as a checklist. Which is to say I found this book relatable and down right charming. I find the idea of living in a tourist destination fascinating. He explores not only the spooky culture in Witch City but also the economy and politics of a city of 42K. Salem in October is a trip I have always wanted to take, and this book certainly strengthened my resolve to do it someday.

4.5. Possibly my favorite of the Dresden files so far. Then again, given my love of Seanan McGuire it's of no surprise that the stories of the Fairie appeal to me. This book was tightly crafted and the complicated mystery actually made sense. I'm enjoying watching Harry grow.

I really enjoyed this book and will pick up the second one at the library today. I was so impressed by author's skill at integrating a fantasy world in a historical setting. Frankly I knew very little about the history of Portugal in the early 1900s, including the revolution. While the author is clearly playing the facts to her plot line (and adding three species of sea people) I was inspired enough to spend some time casually reading about Portugal from around 1889 to the republican revolution in 1910. Enjoyed dipping into that history in a fantasy world setting. Only complaint might be that it is a bit over complicated - so many small characters. Keeping everyone straight got a bit fuzzy here and there.

I started this book last spring and I am embarrassed to admit I then lost it. In re-arranging our bedroom a few weeks back I found it lodged behind my bedside table. From there I finished this quick read easily. Anne is witty and poetic in her writing. The antiquated terms are at times charming and at times jarring. Her descriptive paragraphs about viewing rivers generally from above was just beautiful. I was saddened by the last 20 or so pages and their account of the massive flooding in China. The horrifying situation was covered rather topically, which I found odd. She seemed somewhat disconnected from it.

I appreciated her humor in regards to the ridiculous questions she faced as a woman. I was curious too about how she felt about leaving her son and undertaking this journey as a parent. I got the impression to was common for women of means to leave children in the care of nannies, so perhaps she (oddly) faced less criticism for that decision then, than a modern mother would now.