(read aloud)
Estranged husband found dead in a canal. Chief inspector has feet of clay. Many suspects with surprise relationships. Good writing and quite good plot.
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
Leave the Grave Green by Deborah Crombie
The Radical Disciple by John Stott
His last book. It is a gem; rare, valuable, beautiful in simplicity. It is superbly organized and crafted. Clear and profound, it is a valedictory address to the church people.
Resurrection Walk by Michael Connelly
Lincoln Lawyer and Bosch, half-brothers, work together and win an innocence case. Both characters are changing in a way that is plausible and true to their experiences. Exciting and enjoyable, though definitely more of the same big city law and crime.
A Disappearance in Fiji by Nilima Rao
(read aloud)
A delightful murder mystery set in Fiji. Very deftly dealing with race and colonialism and language and culture. With excellent characters, good and evil.
The Spy Coast by Tess Geritsen
What do CIA agents do in retirement? Avoid death and destruction while sipping wine in a Maine village. A bit far-fetched and written in a complex, confusing flashback of alternating chapters.
All Shall be Well by Deborah Crombie
(read aloud)
English mystery with Scotland Yard duo and some attraction between the detectives. Very good writing and interesting asides. Plan to read more of these, this being our second one.
The Making of Another Motion Picture Masterpiece by Tom Hanks
An eye into the making of a movie written in an unusual and engaging way. The story takes the tale of each person involved till they combine to make the picture. A seemingly unrelated beginning is tied at the end in a delightful way. Some language but not gratuitous.
Red Harvest by Dashiell Hammett
(read aloud)
Very good writing. Lots of adjectives, long descriptions of appearance of characters. Gritty, dark, and violent. Codes of conduct broken but operative. Misogynist attitudes widespread but unpraised. The protagonist cleans up a corrupt town but has no illusions.
All the Knowledge in the World
A delightfully disorganized history of the encyclopedia, snatching interesting facts like one would while perusing an encyclopedia. Engaging and fun; one rightly feels like you've missed things and need to come back later, just like when you consult an encyclopedia.
The First Patient by Michael Palmer
The president's doctor, old friends, comes to D.C. to find the president either mentally unstable or being poisoned or having a tumor or stroke. Things get more sinister, then more sinister, and with a twist near the end, more sinister. Not a great story but you definitely don't trust anyone.
Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson
Very transparent, honest portrayal with insights into a complex man. Avoids simplistic psychology but makes a case for effects of troubled childhood. Isaacson is not on board with Twitter free speech, I think as a sop to his liberal buddies.
Reframe Your Brain by Scott Adams
Presents reframing. Very thought-provoking. Shows the complexity of belief and the evanescence of truth.
A Morbid Taste for Bones by Ellis Peters
(read aloud)
Very good Cadfael. Many twists and turns, clever and satisfying. Holiness without pretense or ambition.
Bark to the Future by Spencer Quinn (Chet)
(read aloud)
Lots of fun, smells, and wandering thoughts.
Whose Body by Dorothy L. Sayers
Didn't enjoy this as much as years ago. Bunter is great, but at least in this first mystery, Wimsey is quite bonkers, it seems.
Fatal Pursuit by Martin Walker
(read aloud)
About rally racing and a missing Bugatti. Many threads, romances, some fading, some warming. Troubled young men, some finding a way, some lost. Good food, Hector and Balzac present as always, but this story less satisfying than usual.
Red Team Blues by Cory Doctorow
Good tale, good writing, a lot of "inside baseball" tech. Deals with crypto, forensic finance, and sudden wealth.
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
(read aloud)
A long, wonderful story about purpose and dealing with misfortune. Has political undertones, dealt with in a measured, wise tone. Full of friendship and love in an era of distrust and falsehood. Mother Russia is in the background throughout.
Wednesday, July 19, 2023
The Tempest by William Shakespeare
Enjoyed this mainly because we read the play, read about the play, and read it again "in translation." And saw the BBC movie version. A delightful classic.
The Mission Song by John le Carré
Mixed-race son of a Catholic missionary priest to the Congo who speaks many languages works as an interpreter for security "entities." In London meets a Congolese nurse. Good characters, good writing. Evokes sympathy for Congo's plight. Sad ending but true to life I'm sure.
Bridge of Spies by Giles Whittell
Didn't think this could be as good as Strangers on a Bridge but it was very good and complementary. Very well-written and well-researched. Lots of newer information that has emerged.
The Gods of Guilt by Michael Connelly
A good read. Lincoln lawyer, Haller, is feeling guilty about events, juxtaposed to the idea of a jury assigning guilt like gods. Who is his jury?
Math Games with Bad Drawings by Ben Orlin
A fascinating book of simple games that are fun, challenging, and demonstrate some deep math at the same time. An engaging book my grandkids also enjoyed. Hours of fun. Big book, more than one can really take in.
The Drop by Michael Connelly
Bosch investigates death of the son of an enemy. Did he jump or was he pushed. Politics of homicide investigation in the big city. Also a serial murderer hides by pretending to be his father. (spoiler)
The Street Lawyer by John Grisham
An older book I had missed. About homelessness, greed and lawyers who serve the poor. Good plot and characters. The good guys win.
Who Killed Miss Finch? by Peter Boon
(read aloud)
Fun mystery with Aspergers school librarian and his fellow "detective," an autistic student.
Death is a Two-Stroke Penalty by James Y. Barlett
(read aloud)
Fun mystery. Interesting things about golf and golfers and the "tour." Language warning.
AI Superpowers by Kai-Fu Lee
Important topic but book didn't catch my interest. Vague about details, geopolitical.
Persuasion by Jane Austen
Similar to Pride and Prejudice but different enough to be engaging. Characters one cares about.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Really enjoyed this, particularly her use of language. Dialogue fun to read.
Gently and Lowly by Dane Ortlund
Wonderful exposition of Jesus's self-description. Book is basically an unfolding of the inexhaustible love of Christ. Given by Stu.
The Dark Hours by Michael Connelly
A Bosch - Ballard story. Quite clever story with exciting ending.
Chip War: The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology by Chris Miller
All the most advanced chips for the entire world are made by one company in Taiwan and the machines that make the chips are made by one company in Holland. Any disruption of these would be catastrophic and Taiwan could be attacked at any time.
Desert Storm by Michael Connelly
Bosch and Ballard together work cold cases. Great story telling. Bosch is mellowing slightly.
Palace Council by Stephen L. Carter
(read aloud)
A very good, well-written novel of the struggle of the "darker nation." America in the Nixon era viewed from the wealthier level of Harlem is both interesting and shocking. More violent than I remember. Lots of characters but the main ones are well drawn.
Astoria by Peter Stark
Amazing story of the founding of Astoria, Oregon by land and by sea. I enjoyed the amazing effort and was surprised that it actually ended in failure. Much suffering and tragedy. The distances and communication difficulty are like space travel! Well-written. One effect was change from Lewis and Clark route to one that became the Oregon Trail. Hell's Canyon needed to be avoided! And leave to go west early to avoid winter in the mountains!
Livid by Patricia Cornwell
About microwave weapons. Slightly better than her recent works. Writing is decent.
Night Shift by Robin Cook
Once I start I have to read to the end, despite formulaic plot and poor writing!
That Hideous Strength by C. S. Lewis
Read for book group. Rulers, authorities, powers and dominions. Forces of good and evil. Prescient and timely and insightful. Classic. A treasure.
Theodore Boone, Kid Lawyer by John Grisham
Surprisingly engaging murder mystery with courtroom drama and nods to Perry Mason. Leaves room for sequel which I want to read.
The LEGO Story by Jens Andersen
A long, detailed story of LEGO. The beginning is interesting about the family and their deep religious past. The setbacks, including two devastating fires, and the courage and determination. Much of the book is less interesting, about succession of the generations of this family-owned business.
A Share in Death by Deborah Crombie
(read aloud)
Murder in a British time share. Quite good writing. Another kindhearted single detective with eager female sidekick. Fun read but not very original.
Monday, February 6, 2023
The Maid by Nita Prose
A delightful mystery told by the protagonist, who is at once clueless and endlessly clever. When her instincts fail and mislead, timeless aphorisms save the day. Except for a moment of euthanasia and an epilogue that seems an appendage, the story is suspenseful and satisfying.
The Last Train to Paradise by Lew Standiford
The Patriarch by Martin Walker
(read aloud)
Bruno is seduced, a murder unsolved and a surprise ending. Saved once by his dog Balzac and then by a mechanical bull. Lots of good food. Hunting clubs featured.
101 Things I Learned in Engineering School by John Kuprenas and Matthew Frederick
Clever little book. One idea per page with examples facing. Insightful and concise. Marks of an engineer through and through.
The Night Fire by Michael Connelly
Bosch has a new "partner," he is PI she has a badge but lives in a tent on the beach. Good plot that morphs unexpectedly, ends suddenly, leaves us waiting for more.
The Boys of Biloxi by John Grisham
(read aloud)
Long, somewhat convoluted tale with vivid characters. Plot is predictable. A kind of morality play. Grisham is again opining on the death penalty. Thought-provoking in that area. Some interesting views of prosecution as opposed to usual emphasis on the defense. Not his best book but good enough.
Formula One by Bob Judd
Good novel about racing and fame and ambition. Plot a little weak. Too racy in parts. A girlfriend in every town. Technology and economics of racing interesting.
The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler
Earthy, raw. A PI who actually has an ethic under a hard, worn exterior. The prototype of crime writing and noir plots. Women used, abused, and unprotected.
The Spy's Son by Bryan Denson
The story of a CIA traitor who from prison continues his crime by using his son. Many Oregon connections. Son lives in Eugene, prison is near Portland. A tale of greed and deception by a supposedly evangelical Christian. True story meticulously documented and told in a straightforward tone.
Chasing the Dime by Michael Connelly
Early work, not as good, main character is clueless at beginning, becomes astute later in book. Fairly good story. How tech has changed in a few years. Later books are better.
The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho
(read aloud)
A thoroughly enjoyable, very different tale of a shepherd boy learning the language of the soul of the world. An amalgam of Iberian, Christian, Muslim motifs with desert palm trees, sheep, and merchants. Seeking your treasure, listening to your heart, reading omens, lots to think about and ponder.
Dear Mrs. Bird by A. J. Pearce
The beginning is laugh-out-loud funny. Good characters with a delightful "voice," book becomes more and more serious, reflecting wartime London and the determination and "pluck" of its people. Humorous at times and also profoundly sad but hopeful. Enjoyed this book.
The Twist of the Knife by Anthony Horowitz
(read aloud)
Another delightful Hawthorne mystery where Tony is the murder suspect and suffers the ignominy of Hawthorne's assistance. As usual, the fiction and the true are mingled together enjoyably, causing internet searches as we read.
Depression and the Soul by John R. Peteet
A book on depression and spiritually-integrated treatment by an old college friend and fellow cross-country runner who has become a very prominent psychiatrist in Boston for many years. Though not a long book, it is in my opinion a definitive work. It is well-written and makes a convincing case for including the spiritual aspect in all medical intervention, especially psychiatry. It is erudite, philosophically sound, and wide in its scope and appeal.
Sparring Partners by John Grisham
Three short novellas, vintage Grisham, about crime, justice, and greed, and tropical resorts, and Swiss bank accounts.
The Glass Giant of Palomar by David O. Woodbury
Very interesting account of the 1939 design and building of the 200-inch telescope. Includes a lot of background of astronomy, telescope design, and technical difficulties. Interesting '30s writing style. Also of note at the end of the book, the telescope has not yet actually been completed!
The Agent by George V. Higgins
Murder mystery about a high-end sports agent. Good writing, mostly dialogue, mostly solved by simple logic. When everyone hates the guy...
Suspect by Scott Turow
(read aloud)
Good writing, good plot, narrator is a tattooed, pierced, lesbian PI who is a likable, interesting character. Too much sex and profanity for my comfort. Sandy Stern still alive but very much in the background.
The Kill List by Frederick Forsyth
Good plot, well-written, but the kind of terrorist hunt book you feel like you've already read.
12 Seconds of Silence by Jamie Holmes
About the invention and production of the Proximity Fuse for artillery shells that saved London from the V-1. Though the war was being won after D-Day, the V-1 (for vengeance) was a horrible weapon. Hundreds were launched on London. The American-sourced fuses dramatically improved the success of anti-aircraft efforts, saving thousands of lives. Interesting though highly technical, well-written, copious notes.
Recessional by David Mamet
A very brave, honest appraisal of modern life and thought in the light of the holocaust, Israel, God, and the Bible with a reverence for the Constitution. Deeply conservative views from a combat-hardened playwright. Polemic but entertaining.
Devil in a Blue Dress by Winston Starr
Written as a screen play, gritty racial, violent, gripping plot. Classic.
On the Road with St Augustine by James A. K. Smith
Very interesting survey of Augustine as a journey from Africa to Milan and back, to Christ, to return to his mother. A lot about the Confessions. Interesting excursions to fellow north Africans Camus and Derrida. Very interesting and more narrative than didactic.
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