Now that I look back on the list, it’s clear that March was packed with an odd assortment of books. Not exactly “in like a lion, out like a lamb”; the month’s literary arc was not a smooth one.

Week 1: Mrs. Astor Regrets by Meryl Gordon

What an exhausting read! I vaguely remember this story from the news 15 years ago, when “elder abuse” was a developing term.

Mrs. Astor was ridiculously rich. Admittedly, she wasn’t a great mother, but she made sure her son always had a well-paying job. Nevertheless, this only child eventually swooped in and took what he felt was owed to him, including changing Brooke Astor’s will when she was clearly not at full mental capacity. When these changes started to effect her lifestyle and health, one of her grandsons stepped in and filed a lawsuit. An explosive lawsuit.

Brooke Astor was a socialite and philanthropist whose own son betrayed her. The most interesting part of this final-years story was learning about Astor’s staff, and how she – and eventually her son – treated them.

If you’re a fan of Dominick Dunne‘s novels, this true story of ruthless greed will no doubt appeal.

Week 2: My Life and Times by Jerome K. Jerome

Jerome’s Three Men in a Boat was a hoot, so when I realized Mom and Dad’s Folio collection included a second book by the humorous author from the late 1800s, it quickly made it to the top of the stack.

I’m still scratching my head over how so many of his autobiographical stories feel modern. His writing style is light and conversational.

Not all Jerome’s stories were laugh-inducing, though; Jerome grew up poor and suffered the loss of both parents during his teen years.

As Jerome begins his career as a writer and playwright in London, it is clear he’s in the right place at the right time for a literary namedropper. The author talks about his friendships with J.M. Barrie, Rudyard Kipling, and H.G. Wells. He even mentions a brief conversion on the street with a fellow he believed to be Charles Dickens.

All in all, a fascinating and often fun (one-sided) conversation about the life and times of Jerome K. Jerome.

Week 3: Beatrix Potter books

Grandson Cameron, I’m happy to report, is a big fan of Beatrix Potter. To date, we’ve read seven of her stories.

Here are the notes Cam prepared:

These books are nuts! Find these books to learn about Peter Rabbit, Squirrel Nutkin, and more!

Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter

Peter Rabbit is one weird rabbit! He went to Mr. McGregor’s garden when he was not supposed to do that, he escaped, he nearly got killed, and he lost his jacket and shoes! Even worse, Mr. McGregor used the jacket and shoes and put them on a scarecrow! Will Peter Rabbit get his jacket and shoes back, or will he be too late? Find out in The Tale of Benjamin Bunny!

Benjamin Bunny by Beatrix Potter

This bunny is a daredevil! The cousin of Peter Rabbit, Benjamin Bunny is a helper for his cousins, even Peter! He and Peter got the jacket and shoes Peter lost in The Tale of Peter Rabbit! And got caught by a cat while carrying onions for cooking! They escaped and it was a happy ending!

Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle by Beatrix Potter

This is one cute hedgehog story! A girl named Lucie lost her pocket handkerchief, her pinny, and three handkins! A little cute hedgehog named Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle had them by mistake, but when Lucie saw the cute hedgehog hold the stuff she lost, she told Tiggy-Winkle that the stuff she got by mistake was hers, and Tiggy-Winkle gave them back. Both Lucie and Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle went on a walk to give stuff to people familiar, Peter Rabbit, and Benjamin Bunny! And it was all good.

~ Cameron Werne, March 21, 2022

Week 4: Famine Diary by Gerald Keegan

Wouldn’t be March without reading at least one book about my ancestors’ homeland.

This one was tough.

Irish schoolteacher Gerald Keegan kept a diary when, as a newlywed, he boarded what was later called a “coffin ship” with his bride, trying to escape the Potato Famine in 1847.

The greed and cruelty in this story is enormous. Give yourself time to recover after reading it.

Bonus Book 1: Hangman’s Holiday by Dorothy L. Sayers

These past several years – with both parents’ passing plus the pandemic – I’ve found myself craving fiction instead of true crime. Agatha Christie, Graham Greene, Raymond Chandler, Josephine Tey … and now, Dorothy L. Sayers.

Hangman’s Holiday was a great introduction to Sayers, as it’s a collection of her short stories. Two clever non-detectives are introduced, along with a rollicking collection of curious situations which need a closer look.

Bonus Book 2: Tevye the Dairyman by Sholem Aleichem

While reminiscing about Fiddler on the Roof last month, I realized there was a book to be read, too.

Thanks to the folks at Your Brothers Bookstore, a new independent bookshop in Evansville, Gary and I now have a used copy to enjoy.

Some of the stories are closely echoed in the famed musical (many phrases popped familiar songs into my head), while others tell about Tevye and Golde’s other daughters (not five but seven!).

The Bible- and Talmud-quoting dairyman is as charming – and frustrated – as ever. This book is worth searching for in your local used-books stacks.

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