Posts
McNally's Luck
Lawrence Sanders
I am not a big fan of the McNally series by Sanders, however this was a pretty good book. Archie gets involved in finding a missing cat that is being held for ransom. Then another client is receiving death threats, and is soon after killed... As the time goes by there are connections between the two cases. Lots of characters.. and you are trying to figure out the motivations in interconnections between them.
Sanders does a decent job in interconnecting characters.. The know each other or have links that are not obvious at first.
Over all a quick and enjoyable book!
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Velocity (59)
Velocity (59)
Dean Koontz
Dean Koontz is an author I never get too excited about, yet I always enjoy his book. They are a fast read and it is usually a good story.
This is the story of Billy, he is a bartender with an odd past.. which we learn of in bits and pieces as the story unfolds.
I psycho is killing people, but making Billy decide who. Billy gets notes and his actions decide who dies. Even though Billy wants no part of this. But as Rush says in one of their songs, even when you dont choose, you still make a choice.
Billy races against time to try to figure out who is doing this, and also to cover up the growing number of bodies.
A good book, the ending was a bit weak, but he did wrap it up nicely!
Dean Koontz
Dean Koontz is an author I never get too excited about, yet I always enjoy his book. They are a fast read and it is usually a good story.
This is the story of Billy, he is a bartender with an odd past.. which we learn of in bits and pieces as the story unfolds.
I psycho is killing people, but making Billy decide who. Billy gets notes and his actions decide who dies. Even though Billy wants no part of this. But as Rush says in one of their songs, even when you dont choose, you still make a choice.
Billy races against time to try to figure out who is doing this, and also to cover up the growing number of bodies.
A good book, the ending was a bit weak, but he did wrap it up nicely!
Rivethead (58)
Rivethead
Ben Hamper
Ben Hamper works for GM in Flint. This is the story of life on the line. I have been aware of this book for many years.. Its seems like my (late) uncle read it and was talking about it. I also recall hearing an interview on the radio with him. A co-worker had to read it for a college class. It was recently listed as one of the 10 books you should read my Michigan authors.. so I added it to my reading list. Then I was visiting a friend and saw he had it so I borrowed it. I read it more because I felt I should, than because I thought I would enjoy it.. WOW, was I wrong.. I *really* enjoyed the book! I expected it to be a lot of rah, rah union stuff.. it was more about how he could not believe HOW much they were paying him... And when you are young and have a lot of money there is only 1 thing to do PARTY! Ben does a lot of drinking on and off the job.. they run scams, invent games, and do anything they can to beat the dreaded clock. In the end Ben has a nervous breakdown and in the end will not be able to work again...
It is an interesting story about a guy who never wanted to work at an auto plant.
I *highly* recommend this book!
Ben Hamper
Ben Hamper works for GM in Flint. This is the story of life on the line. I have been aware of this book for many years.. Its seems like my (late) uncle read it and was talking about it. I also recall hearing an interview on the radio with him. A co-worker had to read it for a college class. It was recently listed as one of the 10 books you should read my Michigan authors.. so I added it to my reading list. Then I was visiting a friend and saw he had it so I borrowed it. I read it more because I felt I should, than because I thought I would enjoy it.. WOW, was I wrong.. I *really* enjoyed the book! I expected it to be a lot of rah, rah union stuff.. it was more about how he could not believe HOW much they were paying him... And when you are young and have a lot of money there is only 1 thing to do PARTY! Ben does a lot of drinking on and off the job.. they run scams, invent games, and do anything they can to beat the dreaded clock. In the end Ben has a nervous breakdown and in the end will not be able to work again...
It is an interesting story about a guy who never wanted to work at an auto plant.
I *highly* recommend this book!
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Air Frame (57)
Air Frame
Michael Crichton
I always enjoy Crichton books, and this was not exception. He has this wonderful way of getting into technical details, but in a way that engages, rather than loses the reader. This book was about an airplane accident, and the woman who works for the mfg that is in charge of finding out what happened. There is a new multi-billion sale coming up and the problems of the accident need to be discovered and resoved before it effects the sale.. add to it a TV 'journalist' who has decided the plane is a 'deathtrap' and you can feel the frustration.
An excellent book :)
Michael Crichton
I always enjoy Crichton books, and this was not exception. He has this wonderful way of getting into technical details, but in a way that engages, rather than loses the reader. This book was about an airplane accident, and the woman who works for the mfg that is in charge of finding out what happened. There is a new multi-billion sale coming up and the problems of the accident need to be discovered and resoved before it effects the sale.. add to it a TV 'journalist' who has decided the plane is a 'deathtrap' and you can feel the frustration.
An excellent book :)
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
An Expensive Place to Die (56)
An Expensive Place to Die (56)
By Len Deighton
This was one of Deightons series of book about "Harry Palmer" although he is nameless in the book (Harry Palmer was the name given to him in the movies based on some of the books).
This one seemed somewhat pointless.. I never understood the motivations of the characters until toward the end. It was also set in Paris, with lots of French thrown in.. (I like the German books better- lol). In the end it was an interesting counter-espinoge premise..
The book was written in 1966, the year of my birth, 40 years ago.. It is interesting how the world has changed.. at least in political views. This talks about winning a nuclear war.. Also about a large battle of WWI fought in Europe.. that was still fresh in people memories. This didnt seem to have the typical style of Deighton in his Sampson books. It reminded me of John LeCarre's early books.. which would have been written about the same time. Perhaps this was the style of spy writting in the mid 60's?
Think I will read another one before I form a full opinion!
By Len Deighton
This was one of Deightons series of book about "Harry Palmer" although he is nameless in the book (Harry Palmer was the name given to him in the movies based on some of the books).
This one seemed somewhat pointless.. I never understood the motivations of the characters until toward the end. It was also set in Paris, with lots of French thrown in.. (I like the German books better- lol). In the end it was an interesting counter-espinoge premise..
The book was written in 1966, the year of my birth, 40 years ago.. It is interesting how the world has changed.. at least in political views. This talks about winning a nuclear war.. Also about a large battle of WWI fought in Europe.. that was still fresh in people memories. This didnt seem to have the typical style of Deighton in his Sampson books. It reminded me of John LeCarre's early books.. which would have been written about the same time. Perhaps this was the style of spy writting in the mid 60's?
Think I will read another one before I form a full opinion!
The Passion of Molly T (55)
The Passion of Molly T
by Lawrence Sanders
The Passion of Molly T, is actually more about her sister Ann H - lol. This is a book about a militant woman's group who basically become an organized, national, vigilante group, killing and destroying as they see fit. On the other side is a Southern Senator who is using them to propel himself into the national spotlight to get better name recogintion of the upcoming Presidential race. It is a Lawrence Sanders book so there is lots of sex (lesbian, married, gay, affairs, and devients).
This book is written in the style of an investigative report set about 3 ~ 5 years in the future. The cover page has a note from the author signed 9 years in the future (from when the book was published). Lots of side notes that talk about how historians view the period or event. It is an interesting way to forshadow things.
Over all I was not thrilled with the book, it was not one of Sanders best. On the other hand it was not bad either.. there are lots of players, and you are always trying to figure out what their real purpose is.
I did dislike the ending.. Brother Nabisco deserved better!
by Lawrence Sanders
The Passion of Molly T, is actually more about her sister Ann H - lol. This is a book about a militant woman's group who basically become an organized, national, vigilante group, killing and destroying as they see fit. On the other side is a Southern Senator who is using them to propel himself into the national spotlight to get better name recogintion of the upcoming Presidential race. It is a Lawrence Sanders book so there is lots of sex (lesbian, married, gay, affairs, and devients).
This book is written in the style of an investigative report set about 3 ~ 5 years in the future. The cover page has a note from the author signed 9 years in the future (from when the book was published). Lots of side notes that talk about how historians view the period or event. It is an interesting way to forshadow things.
Over all I was not thrilled with the book, it was not one of Sanders best. On the other hand it was not bad either.. there are lots of players, and you are always trying to figure out what their real purpose is.
I did dislike the ending.. Brother Nabisco deserved better!
Friday, September 08, 2006
The DaVinci Code (54)
The DaVinci Code
Dan Brown
Wow... another great book by Dan Brown. I now understand what all the hype was about... I also see why the Catholics are all up in arms - lol.. But it is important to remember this is FICTION :) He weaves just enough fact to make people start believing... just like any good conspiracy theory should - lol.
I found this book extremely entertaining, and well written! I almost think I liked Angels and Demons better but both were excellent! One of the interesting thing is he talks a lot about art and historic churches and sites.. it is interesting to look these (real) places and art up to look at it. No it doesnt reveal secret information, but it is interesting! To show how popular the book is, I looked up the Mona Lisa which is mentioned in the book. The Lourve on their website actually address some of the claims made in his book, as they say they get a LOT of questions about it now. People come to see the painting for the connection to the book.
And I suppose anything that gets people interested in arts isn't all bad :)
Dan Brown
Wow... another great book by Dan Brown. I now understand what all the hype was about... I also see why the Catholics are all up in arms - lol.. But it is important to remember this is FICTION :) He weaves just enough fact to make people start believing... just like any good conspiracy theory should - lol.
I found this book extremely entertaining, and well written! I almost think I liked Angels and Demons better but both were excellent! One of the interesting thing is he talks a lot about art and historic churches and sites.. it is interesting to look these (real) places and art up to look at it. No it doesnt reveal secret information, but it is interesting! To show how popular the book is, I looked up the Mona Lisa which is mentioned in the book. The Lourve on their website actually address some of the claims made in his book, as they say they get a LOT of questions about it now. People come to see the painting for the connection to the book.
And I suppose anything that gets people interested in arts isn't all bad :)
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Dave Barry Turns 40 (53)
Dave Barry Turns 40
By Dave Barry
I bought this book in 1992 and never read it... As I became active in reading again, and started reading a lot of Dave Barry books again, I have been saving this book until this year.. and then more toward September. I will turn 40 on Sept 10.
The book was amusing as I find all of Dave Barry's books... however I guess it wasnt as pointed to me turning 40 as I hoped it would be. A lot of the age based humor was aimed at his generation... lots of hippy/drug/60s music references. The book was good, just not quite what I hoped it would be.
By Dave Barry
I bought this book in 1992 and never read it... As I became active in reading again, and started reading a lot of Dave Barry books again, I have been saving this book until this year.. and then more toward September. I will turn 40 on Sept 10.
The book was amusing as I find all of Dave Barry's books... however I guess it wasnt as pointed to me turning 40 as I hoped it would be. A lot of the age based humor was aimed at his generation... lots of hippy/drug/60s music references. The book was good, just not quite what I hoped it would be.
The Switch (52)
The Switch
Elmore Leonard
I have reached a milestone! My goal in reading is to read the average of 1 book per week or 52 books per year. So I have reached this goal on 9/1/06 this year. This is a month ahead of the 9/29/05 where I reached 52 books last year.
It is also fitting that my 52nd book this year is a Leonard book, as he is my favorite author. This was a good book, in the classic Leonard style. Takes place in Detroit and the suburbs. This book involves kidnapping a woman to ransom her husband to give up some of the money is is skimming off his business and hiding in an off shore account.
This book has Ordell Robbie and Louis Garza who I am sure show up in another book, as well as Mickey Dawson who also seems familiar. I have started working on documenting Leonards books to see the overlap in the characters, but this will take a while.
Elmore Leonard
I have reached a milestone! My goal in reading is to read the average of 1 book per week or 52 books per year. So I have reached this goal on 9/1/06 this year. This is a month ahead of the 9/29/05 where I reached 52 books last year.
It is also fitting that my 52nd book this year is a Leonard book, as he is my favorite author. This was a good book, in the classic Leonard style. Takes place in Detroit and the suburbs. This book involves kidnapping a woman to ransom her husband to give up some of the money is is skimming off his business and hiding in an off shore account.
This book has Ordell Robbie and Louis Garza who I am sure show up in another book, as well as Mickey Dawson who also seems familiar. I have started working on documenting Leonards books to see the overlap in the characters, but this will take a while.
Friday, September 01, 2006
Angels and Demons (51)
Angels and Demons
Dan Brown
Wow! This is prehaps the best book I have read all year.. Very interesting on a number of different levels.. History, ritual, science, secrets, puzzles, artwork...
The story was good.. at in the begining it seems like it would be predictable.. it was anyting but that.. the ending has more twists and turns than a mountain road.
This is Dan Browns 2nd book, which introduces the character that is also in his 4th book The DaVinci Cod.
I also picked up DaVinci Code and will be getting to that soon.
Dan Brown
Wow! This is prehaps the best book I have read all year.. Very interesting on a number of different levels.. History, ritual, science, secrets, puzzles, artwork...
The story was good.. at in the begining it seems like it would be predictable.. it was anyting but that.. the ending has more twists and turns than a mountain road.
This is Dan Browns 2nd book, which introduces the character that is also in his 4th book The DaVinci Cod.
I also picked up DaVinci Code and will be getting to that soon.
The Big Bounce (50)
The Big Bounce (50)
Elmore Leonard
This is an earlier Leonard book, that was republished after it was made into a movie. I picked up the paperback in a Dollar Store in Union SC :) Although this was written in 1969 it is still fresh and does not seem dated. Although at one point the main character is watching a Tigers game and Denny Mclain is pitching :0
Good story, but the ending is a bit different than I expected... Leonard books often have a twist at the end but this is different even for him.
I have decided I need to work harder to make sense of Leonard characters.. many of them reappear either in small or large rolls in different books.. will try to start documentaing that...
Elmore Leonard
This is an earlier Leonard book, that was republished after it was made into a movie. I picked up the paperback in a Dollar Store in Union SC :) Although this was written in 1969 it is still fresh and does not seem dated. Although at one point the main character is watching a Tigers game and Denny Mclain is pitching :0
Good story, but the ending is a bit different than I expected... Leonard books often have a twist at the end but this is different even for him.
I have decided I need to work harder to make sense of Leonard characters.. many of them reappear either in small or large rolls in different books.. will try to start documentaing that...
Friday, August 25, 2006
The House of Thunder (49)
The House of Thunder (49)
Dean Knoontz
This was a book originally released under a pen name, then later re-released under Knoontz own name. The story is good, but gets a bit tedious in the detail sometimes. Girl wakes up from a coma and finds that she doesnt remember much... soon details of her life come back, but she can not remember anything about her job.
When she was in college her boyfriend was killed in a hazing 'accident' she testifies against 4 people. 1 goes to jail, 2 others get killed some years later in a car accident and she loses track of the 4th.
**spoiler**
So she is very surpsied and frightened when she starts seeing these people in the hospital, especially the dead ones. The strange thing is, even through 13 years has passed the people look the same. She thinks she is going mad, until she starts to see cracks in the story...
The lead up to the story takes a bit long, then the conclusion is too fast... She learns she has been kidnapped by the Russians, she works for a defense contractor, and they are trying to find out information from her... The stay in the hospital was an elobrate rouge to make her break down so they could get information out of her.
Really intersting idea, and I wish he would have spent some more time on the ending and less on when she thought she was going crazy.
Overall a good book.. but certainly not one of his best.
Dean Knoontz
This was a book originally released under a pen name, then later re-released under Knoontz own name. The story is good, but gets a bit tedious in the detail sometimes. Girl wakes up from a coma and finds that she doesnt remember much... soon details of her life come back, but she can not remember anything about her job.
When she was in college her boyfriend was killed in a hazing 'accident' she testifies against 4 people. 1 goes to jail, 2 others get killed some years later in a car accident and she loses track of the 4th.
**spoiler**
So she is very surpsied and frightened when she starts seeing these people in the hospital, especially the dead ones. The strange thing is, even through 13 years has passed the people look the same. She thinks she is going mad, until she starts to see cracks in the story...
The lead up to the story takes a bit long, then the conclusion is too fast... She learns she has been kidnapped by the Russians, she works for a defense contractor, and they are trying to find out information from her... The stay in the hospital was an elobrate rouge to make her break down so they could get information out of her.
Really intersting idea, and I wish he would have spent some more time on the ending and less on when she thought she was going crazy.
Overall a good book.. but certainly not one of his best.
Dave Barry is not making this up
Dave Barry is not making this up.
Dave Barry
I just realized I finished this book between Smileys People and Hey Ranger. This was the time I was on vacation and I never marked it down.. so we will call this #48 even though it occured earlier.
A great collection of Dave's columns. My favorites concern his boat called Buster and their adventures together ;0
Dave Barry
I just realized I finished this book between Smileys People and Hey Ranger. This was the time I was on vacation and I never marked it down.. so we will call this #48 even though it occured earlier.
A great collection of Dave's columns. My favorites concern his boat called Buster and their adventures together ;0
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Hey Ranger! (47)
Hey Ranger!
Jim Burnett
I picked this book up at the gift shop in the Great Smoky Mountains Nationa Park.. seemed like an appropriate place to buy a book by a retired ranger about interesting and amusing things that happen to Park Rangers.
An intersting look at silly, stupid and illegal things people do at National Parks.. It is meant to be light hearted and entertaining, which it was. It is amazing the things people will will say and do!
Much more than that, it gives you a deep apprecation for the job of park ranger.. many nights spend up working looking for lost people, helping at accidents, cleaning up enviromental spills, fighting fires, etc. etc. It is not so much a job in the sense of 9-5 but more like a lifestyle.. something you do all the time, and also involves your family.
As well as an understanding of the job and the people, Jim also gives great descriptions of the Parks themselves.. makes you want to go out and visit them!!
For more information please see the website Hey Ranger!
Jim Burnett
I picked this book up at the gift shop in the Great Smoky Mountains Nationa Park.. seemed like an appropriate place to buy a book by a retired ranger about interesting and amusing things that happen to Park Rangers.
An intersting look at silly, stupid and illegal things people do at National Parks.. It is meant to be light hearted and entertaining, which it was. It is amazing the things people will will say and do!
Much more than that, it gives you a deep apprecation for the job of park ranger.. many nights spend up working looking for lost people, helping at accidents, cleaning up enviromental spills, fighting fires, etc. etc. It is not so much a job in the sense of 9-5 but more like a lifestyle.. something you do all the time, and also involves your family.
As well as an understanding of the job and the people, Jim also gives great descriptions of the Parks themselves.. makes you want to go out and visit them!!
For more information please see the website Hey Ranger!
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Smiley's People (46)
Smiley's People
By John LeCarre
The final book of the Karla trilogy.. and a very good story. In the end George wins, yet feels an odd sense of anti climax about the whole thing.
A wonderfully crafted book.. which in the end left me wondering.. what the hell was the second book all about? It really didnt seem to fit.. the only link to this story was some vauge reference to changes at the Circus while George was away.. Where were you George? Oh Yes Hong Kong....
This book was well done.. And I was very happy that I figured out the riddle of Tatiana along the way :)
By John LeCarre
The final book of the Karla trilogy.. and a very good story. In the end George wins, yet feels an odd sense of anti climax about the whole thing.
A wonderfully crafted book.. which in the end left me wondering.. what the hell was the second book all about? It really didnt seem to fit.. the only link to this story was some vauge reference to changes at the Circus while George was away.. Where were you George? Oh Yes Hong Kong....
This book was well done.. And I was very happy that I figured out the riddle of Tatiana along the way :)
Monday, July 24, 2006
1984 (44)
1984
George Orwell
This book has always been special to me as it is the year I graduated from High School. It is interesting to see how this book has influnced so many other books and authors. My favorite is The Tomorrow Files by Lawrence Sanders, which is not quite so dark, but still very enjoyable.
I found this book online and read it while at work. A nice way to get a little extra reading in.. a few minutes a day and had it read in a couple of weeks. I think I will continue with this.
There is really nothing to say about 1984.. if you have not read it, you should! And in the end "He loved Big Brother. "
George Orwell
This book has always been special to me as it is the year I graduated from High School. It is interesting to see how this book has influnced so many other books and authors. My favorite is The Tomorrow Files by Lawrence Sanders, which is not quite so dark, but still very enjoyable.
I found this book online and read it while at work. A nice way to get a little extra reading in.. a few minutes a day and had it read in a couple of weeks. I think I will continue with this.
There is really nothing to say about 1984.. if you have not read it, you should! And in the end "He loved Big Brother. "
The Honourable Schoolboy (43)
The Honourable Schoolboy
By John LeCarre
This is the second book in the Karla trilogy... It seemed to take me forever to read. And in the end.. I didn't really understand the significance... At best I hope this is a set up for the final book and that more will become evident..
This story concerns itself with Smiley getting his department together again, and investigating a 'gold seal' money paid from Russia to an agent? It was too much money for just an agent.. Nobody knows the whole story of anything that is going on.. so you are constantly trying to guess and fill in the missing pieces.. prehaps I did not do a good enough job of that. It isn't that I didnt enjoy the novel.. I just didnt quite get it.. In the end it seemed like a large setup for a very small pay off.. but maybe that was the point?
By John LeCarre
This is the second book in the Karla trilogy... It seemed to take me forever to read. And in the end.. I didn't really understand the significance... At best I hope this is a set up for the final book and that more will become evident..
This story concerns itself with Smiley getting his department together again, and investigating a 'gold seal' money paid from Russia to an agent? It was too much money for just an agent.. Nobody knows the whole story of anything that is going on.. so you are constantly trying to guess and fill in the missing pieces.. prehaps I did not do a good enough job of that. It isn't that I didnt enjoy the novel.. I just didnt quite get it.. In the end it seemed like a large setup for a very small pay off.. but maybe that was the point?
Monday, July 10, 2006
Dave Barry's Complete Guide to Guys (42)
Dave Barry's Complete Guide to Guys
Dave Barry
Dave Barry examines what a guy is... Why guy does the things he does? Well... because he is a GUY, of course! Also examines lots of stupid things that guys do.. and why women will never understand us!
Dave Barry
Dave Barry examines what a guy is... Why guy does the things he does? Well... because he is a GUY, of course! Also examines lots of stupid things that guys do.. and why women will never understand us!
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (41)
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
John LeCarre
Wow... is all I can say about this book! For those who don't like LeCarre, or think this book is a snoozer.. All I can say is you are missing the point. Not everything has to filled with excitement, car chases, shoot-outs etc. Sometimes the excitement is in the details... of pouring over information to find the connections between seemingly unconnected events. This is what Smiley did to find the biggest mole in the history of the Circus..
The book is *very* complex and detailed... Near the end I spent an hour and made notes and maps of the story to try to puzzle out what was happening.. the ending still surprised me... Brilliant!
John LeCarre
Wow... is all I can say about this book! For those who don't like LeCarre, or think this book is a snoozer.. All I can say is you are missing the point. Not everything has to filled with excitement, car chases, shoot-outs etc. Sometimes the excitement is in the details... of pouring over information to find the connections between seemingly unconnected events. This is what Smiley did to find the biggest mole in the history of the Circus..
The book is *very* complex and detailed... Near the end I spent an hour and made notes and maps of the story to try to puzzle out what was happening.. the ending still surprised me... Brilliant!
Monday, July 03, 2006
Dave Barry In Cyberspace (40)
Dave Barry In Cyberspace
Dave Barry
I discovered Dave Barry when I was in 10th grade, and took a "Current Events" class which mostly involved watching the news on TV and reading the newspaper. Dave Barry's humor column was in the Detroit paper and I have always enjoyed his twisted sense of humor.
This book written in 1996 holds up very well.. while some of the technology is out of date, the basic premise is still valid.. No matter what computer you buy.. a better and cheaper one will come out minutes after you buy yours - lol.
He also takes a look at the Internet and all its "useful" sites.
Dave Barry
I discovered Dave Barry when I was in 10th grade, and took a "Current Events" class which mostly involved watching the news on TV and reading the newspaper. Dave Barry's humor column was in the Detroit paper and I have always enjoyed his twisted sense of humor.
This book written in 1996 holds up very well.. while some of the technology is out of date, the basic premise is still valid.. No matter what computer you buy.. a better and cheaper one will come out minutes after you buy yours - lol.
He also takes a look at the Internet and all its "useful" sites.
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