Stieg Larsson: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Nelson DeMille: The Gate House
Chuck Klosterman: Downtown Owl
I will readily say that this book was marvelously written with a dry quiet wit. It was somewhat "Richard Russo-y" with the small-town setting and quirky characters and no bowl-you-over plot, but it also lacked LIKABLE characters. They were all pretty depressing and basically losers. But again, the writing was very creative and the climax was certainly "climatic" with the 1984 North Dakota blizzard. (***)
Mary Ann Shaffer: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
What a unique story (written in letters/telegrams) and a unique setting (yes, I've Googled everything I can about Guernsey and I want to go there!) and what quirky and lovable characters. I loved the light-heartedness paired with the underlying tragedy of post-World War II and German occupation. It was educational, but mostly it was incredibly entertaining. Equal parts Jane Austen and Fannie Flagg! This is an excellent read and I highly recommend it. You won't be sorry. (*****)
James Lee Burke: Swan Peak: A Dave Robicheaux Novel
James Lee Burke is a true poet, and his writing skills are right up there with Richard Russo and Pat Conroy with his ability to make you believe you are THERE. But...his characters are so full of angst and demons, and this book was so dark and heavy (as many of his are), that I never even opened my Kindle to read it during vacation. I finished it this week and it's a relief to be unburdened by it. (Even though my mind goes back to many painfully beautiful passages...) (***)
Robert Crais: Chasing Darkness: An Elvis Cole Novel
Not the best Elvis Cole/Joe Pike story (in fact, Pike was pretty scarce which was such a bummer), and Elvis wasn't his typical hilariously flippant self and I missed that, too. The plot was pretty good, and it wasn't a bad book by any means, just not as sharp as usual. (***)
Lisa Unger: Black Out: A Novel
The tone of this novel was impending doom and gloom throughout, and the main character (the narrator) was sketchy and untrustworthy which all made this an uncomfortable read. It was definitely intense, but ultimately convoluted and contrived. Shame, because the premise was very intriguing. (***)
John Sandford: Phantom Prey (Lucas Davenport Mysteries)
John Sandford's writing style sort of annoys me — clipped and hurried and Dragnetty — but this was a pretty interesting glimpse into the Goth subculture. The "whodunnit" was made clear about mid-way through the story, so it was mostly an observation of how Lucas was able to fit the pieces together. Overall, it came down to dumb luck. (***)
Lee Child: Nothing to Lose (Jack Reacher Novels)
Wow, the right wingers are having a hissy fit over this book (the story dares to question our involvement in the Iraq war and brings to light the scary fringes of fanatical Christianity — fodder for right wing hissy fits). I love the Jack Reacher series and I enjoyed this book, but it's definitely not my favorite. The plot was rather far-fetched and also rather slow to get to the point. And that ultimate point was a bit of an eyebrow-raiser. Still, it's Jack Reacher! (***)
Michael Connelly: The Poet
This was a non-Harry Bosch story, written in 1995. That's surprisingly a long time ago based on the technology between then and now, so it felt extremely dated. "High-tech" phone modems! Ha! It was a good story, though, about a serial killer and the efforts to hunt him down. It also confirmed my reasons years ago for not pursuing a career in print journalism — the dog-eat-dog environment. (***)
Dean Koontz: Odd Hours
I LOVE this character, Odd Thomas, and I thoroughly enjoy his quirky sense of humor. But this 4th story of the Odd series was a blatant setup for the next installment(s), and with so much left dangling, I can't help but feel cheated about that. (***)
Elizabeth George: Careless in Red
I enjoyed this book in the midst of reading it; the eloquent British style of writing, the well-drawn if dysfunctional characters. But there were far too many characters (lots of plants of red-herrings), the story was overly long for what it needed to be, and the revelation of the mystery was totally anticlimatic. (***)
Stephenie Meyer: The Host: A Novel
Sometimes I enjoy a sci-fi book, but not very often because they tend to be extremely cheesy. Good ones are Dune and Ender's Game, but they are rare. The premise of this book intrigued me, as did all the positive Amazon reviews, so I gave it a whirl. What a juvenile, idiotic soap opera. Gag me! It was like Danielle Steel goes pseudo-Sci-Fi. Cheesy would be a compliment. (*)
Alexander Mccall Smith: The Miracle at Speedy Motors: The New Novel in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency)
This wasn't my all-time favorite book of the series, but I enjoyed it because it was so nice to be back among these lovable characters. These stories are so uplifting and often there is a gentle lesson to be learned. (****)
Lee Child: Killing Floor
This is Lee Child's first Jack Reacher novel, and it's definitely one of the best (if not THE best) of all of them I've read so far (the 12th is coming out June 2008). It may (?) be the only one that is written in first-person. I absolutely could not put this down. This series is awesome! (*****)
Jesse Kellerman: The Genius
I almost didn't buy this book because I didn't care for Jesse Kellerman's previous novel, "Trouble". But reading a couple of sample chapters on my Kindle sucked me in, and I hit the "One-Click" button to purchase it! I'm glad I did. It's a complex and suspenseful story, and while I wouldn't call it a "thriller", it definitely has a mysterious element and it's also a riveting family saga. It was hard to have to put this down, you know, to go to work and cook dinner and stuff! It's amazing that someone this young (under 30) can write so well. (****)
Lee Child: The Hard Way (Jack Reacher Novels)
Surprisingly, I figured out a lot of the "twists" in this book beforehand, but I still really enjoyed it. Once again the ending had me squirming in anxiety — Lee Child is sure good at that! (****)
Philip Pullman: His Dark Materials Trilogy (The Golden Compass; The Subtle Knife; The Amber Spyglass)
This amazing trilogy reminded me at times of "Dune" with its imaginative worlds and complex politics. It truly was an epic and treacherous journey, and at its core were children and animals to tug at your heart strings. Zealots call this series anti-religious, but I saw it as a tribute to humanity's passion for free will and the quest for knowledge — and overcoming the narrow-minded who stand in the way. (*****)
Joseph Finder: Paranoia
This was a gripping corporate espionage thriller, and the promise of a dynamite shocking ending kept me enthralled. Throughout, I kept thinking that the movie "Michael Clayton" would have been better based on this book with all its intensity and excellent characterization. But the ending was a major thunk for me. Until then, it was riding on a solid five stars. That "thunk" was bitterly disappointing. So much for promised dynamite endings. (***)
Nevada Barr: Winter Study (Anna Pigeon Mysteries)
My feet felt cold throughout this entire book! Ms. Barr does a good job painting a frigid January on Isle Royale in Lake Superior. Anna Pigeon makes me feel inadequate with her amazing survival skills and her ability to solve complex crimes committed in the extreme elements, but I keep coming back to them. A little over-written but very good! (****)
Alison Larkin: The English American
Excellent! I hated for this book to end! The story and the characters are so well drawn and so unique! I loved this book! I highly recommend it! (*****)
Jonathan Kellerman: Compulsion: An Alex Delaware Novel
This was better than some of the recent Jonathan Kellerman books, but I still felt that he was making things up as he wrote along and didn't have much of a plan from the beginning. (***)
Joshilyn Jackson: The Girl Who Stopped Swimming
This was really good, although I gave it four stars inestead of five because it was terribly melodramatic in places. I would definitely recommend it, though. (****)
- David Baldacci: The Collectors
Not so sure what all the hoopla is about with David Baldacci (nor why the book's cover art doesn't show up). This is the 2nd of the three Camel Club novels, and his writing is off-putting enough (all those damned adverbs and cardboard characters), that I'm not all that interested in reading his new one, "Stone Cold." (***)
John Connolly: The Unquiet: A Thriller
I enjoyed this Charlie Parker novel, although the poor guy is SO chalk-full of angst that it can sort of bring you down. There's a bit of a paranormal aspect that is truly haunting. (****)
Lee Child: One Shot (Jack Reacher)
I love this modern-day gunslinger series about Jack Reacher, and this one does not disappoint. This has the most thrilling ending that I've read in a long time. If ever! (*****)
Cathy Lamb: Julia's Chocolates
While this was pretty entertaining, the characters were extremely over-drawn and a fair amount of melodrama ruled the day. In spite of that, the story worked quite well. (***)
Sue Grafton: T is for Trespass (Kinsey Millhone Mysteries)
This, too, was a heavy read — but well worth it. Kinsey Malone is one of my favorite characters. (****)
James Lee Burke: The Tin Roof Blowdown: A Dave Robicheaux Novel
The devastation of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita come to heartwrenching life by Burke's incredible pen in this superb thriller. Nobody does it better. It was excellent, although a heavy read. (*****)
Douglas Preston: Blasphemy
While I really enjoy the collaboration of Preston/Child's Special Agent Pendergrast series, this Preston stand-alone was just awful. Cardboard characters, ridiculous plot-line with holes as big as an abyss, and eye-rolling dialogue that read as horrible acting. This was BAD BAD BAD. I won't give it a single star.
Stephen King: Duma Key
I've always loved SK's characterization skills, and this is his best in a long time. The PEOPLE are so real and so likable, and the story is riveting. (Yes, also quite scary! SK, after all...) I loved being able to escape into this in the midst of crazy-bad work days. (Side note: Remember Wilson in Tim Allen's "Home Improvement"? The neighbor you never saw on the other side of the fence? The character, Wireman, in this book totally has his voice!) (*****)
Alexander McCall Smith: The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (Book 1)
I'm just listing the first of the series of 8 books (soon to be 9!) -- but I've read them all and I absolutely loved them! Full of wit and wisdom and a very unique setting -- Botswana, Africa. A very special series of lovable characters. (*****)
Sarah Addison Allen: Garden Spells
This story is a cure for dreary days; it's a simple but eloquent reminder to appreciate who you love (and who loves you). And you can chuckle at the matter-of-fact antics of a mischievous apple tree that is as three-dimensional as all the human characters. It has the quirk-factor of a southern "Northern Exposure," or "Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe". It's light and airy and fragrant and mystical, and I absolutely loved it. (*****)
Richard Russo: Bridge of Sighs
Unfortunately, this is my least favorite Russo book which makes me sad because I'd looked so forward to it. As usual, it was beautifully written and his characters stepped out of the pages as real people, but people who weren't particularly likable. Mostly I missed the wonderful sense of humor that was so prevalent in his previous books. I would have given this 3-1/2 stars if that was an option. (****)
Anne Rivers Siddons: Sweetwater Creek
This lyrical coming-of-age story was an interesting character study. Set in the Lowcountry, it wasn't quite as well depicted as James Lee Burke's ability to make you feel the Southern summer sweat dripping from every pore, but it was very pleasurable, tense in places, sad in places, and ultimately uplifting. You'll love the soulful "Elvis"! (****)
Sue Grafton: S is for Silence (Kinsey Millhone Mysteries)
It's been a while since I've read one from this series (need to go back to "P" or "Q" and get caught up!), and I was delighted at how good it was. I've always liked them, but either this one was exceptionally well-written, or else I've read so many poorly-written books lately, that this one really stood out. (****)
Tess Gerritsen: The Mephisto Club
Cardboardy, stereotypical characters: The hard-nosed Italian female cop with an attitude who prefers blue-collar beer; the uptight lonesome female M.E. in love with a priest and who prefers good wine. And then a writing style like so many others that basically tells a lame story without any finesse. What's up with these supposed "bestselling" novelists? Or their editors? I NEED A GOOD BOOK! (I hear Russo is coming out with a new one soon!) (**)
Joe Hill: Heart-Shaped Box
I really love Stephen King and I really love Dean Koontz, but this was the type of "horror" novel that Dean or Steve would NEVER write. It was horror on top of horror on top of such mind-numbing bloody violence that it was simply a major turn-off. The characters were well-drawn but not particularly lovable or easy to relate to, and I just simply couldn't wait for this book to end. (Notice that I DID finish it, though). (**)
J. K. Rowling: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7)
I laughed...I cried...and was ultimately satisfied. The end. (*****)
Stephen White: Dry Ice (Dr. Alan Gregory Novels)
"Morose" best describes this story, with Alan Gregory in a major unlikable funk, his D.A. wife cold and unlikable, and Sam-the-cop, well, nasty and unlikable! All of their professions require secrecy and I guess I got pretty fed up with having that take precedence over caring about each other and COMMUNICATING in their relationships. I have liked this series, but this one left me feeling....morose. (**)
Janet Evanovich: Lean Mean Thirteen (Stephanie Plum Novels)
These books are so fun -- and so funny. There were a number of lines that brought on a fit of giggles. (****)
Peter Abrahams: End of Story
I read this book with trepidation throughout, and not because of any masterful suspense qualities. Once again it featured a protagonist who you helplessly watch go off the deep end. I thought you were supposed to relate to the protagonist! Feel an affinity toward her, champion her actions. And while it wasn’t poorly written, I was constantly annoyed with the dialogue: “So what’s the story about?” “Story?” “Yeah, the one you’re writing.” “Writing?” (*)
Dean Koontz: The Good Guy
I liked this a bunch, and absolutely COULD NOT put it down! It was a frantic nail-biter with intriguing and very likable characters. Koontz sometimes gets pretty eye-roley with his descriptive prose and I could have done without the over-writing. He doesn't always do that and I don't know why he doesn't learn to leave well enough alone. But it was a very good story with a bad guy that beats all bad guys. (****)
John Sandford: Invisible Prey
I guess if you like the hard-boiled, almost "Dragnet" police procedural style, you'll like this. I've read several of his "Prey" books some time ago and I don't recall them being this cold and, well, Dragnetty. It wasn't bad, I just felt that I'd dropped in on people and jargon and dialogue that I just couldn't wrap my arms (or head) around. (***)
Greg Iles: True Evil: A Novel
I'll give this a star for being a "yarn", but similar to Clive Cusler, Iris Johansen, and Ken Follet -- THE WRITING SUCKS. Idiotic dialogue, cliche-riddled, over-the-top B-movie action, cardboard/cartoon characters. In a word? Yuk. (Why did I even finish it? I just typically always do, but I've certainly been questioning my wisdom about that philosophy). (*)
Chris Bohjalian: The Double Bind: A Novel
This book had to be a bitch to write. For it to all come together and be plausible and truly work, it had to be a yeoman's effort. That said, I really enjoyed it,and the writing was excellent, but I did figure out the "mystery" about half-way through. I guess I read too many mysteries. (****)
Richard Russo: Nobody's Fool
It's true that "nothing much happens", but as in real life, it really does. This was a marvelous read with characters that you walked with, they were that dimensional. And as usual with Mr. Russo's work, I often laughed out loud. (I love it when a book makes me laugh!) (*****)
Jesse Kellerman: Trouble
While I thought this was well-written, it was definitely over-the-top, and I squirmed my way through it without enjoyment. And while the main character was likable enough, his weakness and idiotic decisions that got him into so much TROUBLE were exasperating! (**)
Diane Setterfield: The Thirteenth Tale
Comparing this novel to the works of the Bronte sisters, Jane Austen, and Charles Dickens is somewhat in order, but not entirely because it's a story that stands alone, with writing talent unique to this author. There's an old (and very British) style that feels familiar, but the novel is very unique. It'll take you in, mystify you, scare you in places, and may even bring you to tears. l liked it very much, even if it's not my usual reading style of choice. (*****)
Robert B. Parker: Hundred-Dollar Baby
This felt like lazy writing to me. The storyline was dull and not well thought out, and it seemed very unrealistic for Spenser and Hawk to spend so much time on a non-paying, who-cares case. (**)
What a handsome man. We love him like crazy.
Mojo has REAL mojo--he is fabulously regal. As I've grown older, I've come to appreciate cats and their quirky personalities more and more.
Posted by: Margaret | Tuesday, May 06, 2008 at 08:44 PM
Great photo's, the one in the jigsaw is funny! Happy Birthday Mojo!
Posted by: Tod | Wednesday, May 07, 2008 at 01:33 AM
Happy Birthday....
Posted by: dilling | Wednesday, May 07, 2008 at 10:25 AM
Awe.............such a cute kitty. Love the pictures.
Posted by: Jane | Wednesday, May 07, 2008 at 10:06 PM
What a wonderful tribute to a GREAT cat! As I recall in the top photo his orange littermates were not meowing, they were hissing! Mojo was very cool from the start. Can't wait to see him on Saturday.
Posted by: Helen | Thursday, May 08, 2008 at 07:23 AM