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Cat Chaser
Elmore Leonard
3 weekends, and 3 book... I have finally found a way to get my reading back a bit... sitting outside reading on weekends. This weekend was Elmore Leonard, my favorite author. This set in Flordia, a hotel owner becomes involved with a married woman, who's husband was a general in charge of the secret police of Dominican Republic. There is a back plot about a host of characters who want to rob the general of the millions in cash he is rumored to keep in his home. As I read more of the Leonard books I notice a pattern in them. You have the likeable anti-star who is laid back and calm... they often take place in or near hotels. There is often infidelity, and almost always lots of drinking and an uncontrollable drunk or drug addict. There is a street person, and a gee whiz country boy type. The main victim is often a powerful but distant person.
While there are similarity, the stories do not seem to be written on a template like many of Lawrence Sanders books (although he is also one of my favs). The stories are different enough that you only notice the pattern after reading many of the books. As with all of Leonard's books it is the characters that drive the stories, and what makes them so enjoyable.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Stori Telling (19)
Stori Telling
Tori Spelling
I picked up this autobiography of Tori Spelling, actress, daughter of famous producer Aaron Spelling. I like everyone else watch 90210 in the 90's although I was not a big fan of it. I sort of remember her from that show and thinking she was there because of her father.
The book was quite interesting... she talks about her childhood and what it is like to grow up as not just rich, but super rich... she has an interesting take on it... she thought it was normal.. becuase when you are a kid you don't know any different. She does apoligize for being rich. Perhaps the most interesting thing is that she had no idea how to manage money. Spend much of it on a boyfriend that was clearing taking advantage of her.. and never gave any thought to the money. She worked on a sucessful series for 10 years and did numberous movies.. yet found herself in her early 30's $200k in debt. When her father died he left she and her brother $800k each... she got rough 1/2 that after taxes.. he told her this would 'set her for life'. The man was worth nearly $500million, it just goes to show you that even if you have money you may not understand it.
In spite of the money, sucess, all she really wanted was to be happy. She is very open about her failings and the difficulty she had communicating with her mother (most conversations were by email, or through her business manager). In the end she has found a new husband and is happy, perhaps for the first time in her life.
The one thing that stuck me about this book was that she is actully quite funny. She has a sharp and sarcastic wit that comes through in unexpected places in the book. She has a way of being able to laugh at herself and some of her mistakes that is refreshing.
I picked up this book mostly out of curiosity, but actually enjoyed it more that I expected.
Tori Spelling
I picked up this autobiography of Tori Spelling, actress, daughter of famous producer Aaron Spelling. I like everyone else watch 90210 in the 90's although I was not a big fan of it. I sort of remember her from that show and thinking she was there because of her father.
The book was quite interesting... she talks about her childhood and what it is like to grow up as not just rich, but super rich... she has an interesting take on it... she thought it was normal.. becuase when you are a kid you don't know any different. She does apoligize for being rich. Perhaps the most interesting thing is that she had no idea how to manage money. Spend much of it on a boyfriend that was clearing taking advantage of her.. and never gave any thought to the money. She worked on a sucessful series for 10 years and did numberous movies.. yet found herself in her early 30's $200k in debt. When her father died he left she and her brother $800k each... she got rough 1/2 that after taxes.. he told her this would 'set her for life'. The man was worth nearly $500million, it just goes to show you that even if you have money you may not understand it.
In spite of the money, sucess, all she really wanted was to be happy. She is very open about her failings and the difficulty she had communicating with her mother (most conversations were by email, or through her business manager). In the end she has found a new husband and is happy, perhaps for the first time in her life.
The one thing that stuck me about this book was that she is actully quite funny. She has a sharp and sarcastic wit that comes through in unexpected places in the book. She has a way of being able to laugh at herself and some of her mistakes that is refreshing.
I picked up this book mostly out of curiosity, but actually enjoyed it more that I expected.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
La Brava (18)
LaBrava
Elmore Leonard
My reading has slowed a lot, which is unusual because usually it picks up in the summer. I have been busy and just have not made the time to read a lot. I AM reading just not much, and I currently have 3 books going.. I started and read most of this over the weekend, just finishing it up yesterday. A good Leonard story.. cross, double cross... and a surprise in the middle that I did not see coming. As always a cast of interesting and colorful characters. Set in South Beach Miami a former Secret Service man becomes involved in the life of an actress who is a friend of his elderly boss. Add a character from the swamps of FL and a cuban hustler and you have got a story - lol
Elmore Leonard
My reading has slowed a lot, which is unusual because usually it picks up in the summer. I have been busy and just have not made the time to read a lot. I AM reading just not much, and I currently have 3 books going.. I started and read most of this over the weekend, just finishing it up yesterday. A good Leonard story.. cross, double cross... and a surprise in the middle that I did not see coming. As always a cast of interesting and colorful characters. Set in South Beach Miami a former Secret Service man becomes involved in the life of an actress who is a friend of his elderly boss. Add a character from the swamps of FL and a cuban hustler and you have got a story - lol
Time Machine (17)
Time Machine
HG Wells
Read 7/7/08
I have seen several of the Time Machine movies, although not the most recent. I was interesting to read the original story. For being over 100 years old it was quite readable and still an excellent story. I was surprised how closely the movies actually followed the book.
HG Wells
Read 7/7/08
I have seen several of the Time Machine movies, although not the most recent. I was interesting to read the original story. For being over 100 years old it was quite readable and still an excellent story. I was surprised how closely the movies actually followed the book.
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