meself, I'll definitely put "Ridgeway" on my list to read. I just finished Pierre Berton's "The National Dream" and I'm now reading "The Last Spike," both about events before, during and after Canada's confederation up to 1885, particularly as they relate to the building of the 1st sea-to-sea Canadian railroad. According to Berton, fear of the Fenians was a major influence upon the creation of Canada and the subsequent building of the railroad to connect the east with Manitoba and British Columbia.

Also I have on the go "Possession" by A.S. Byatt. A very literary whodunit which I'm mostly enjoying. A bit thick sometimes but so far it's been worth it. I listened to some episodes of the BBC radio drama but holy smoke, they took out SO much to make it manageable for a serial drama. I recommend the book, at least so far anyhow!

Recently finished Ruth Rendell's "The Crocodile Bird;" "Mamba's Daughters" by DuBose Heyward--highly readable drama of US coastal lowland blacks in the early 20th century. And "Herding Dogs" by Vergil someone (a UK writer and herding trainer).

There's a bunch of Margaret Atwood I haven't read yet--I think The Handmaid's Tale was the last one of hers I finished--but I'm not at all sure when I'll get to it; I really have to be in the mood for some of her stuff. I do want to read The Blind Assassin, though.

I still want to track down copies of some unread Barbara Kingsolver. Love her stories.

Don Firth & Silas: I really enjoyed Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 both times I read it, first for grade 10 English class, then a decade or more later. (BTW, Silas, 451 degrees F. is the temperature at which paper burns.)

Fun thread and a lot of new book leads to track down, thanks everyone!