Not my favorite. It's a pretty bloody and brutal (but probably accurate) look at early life in the pre- Roman Poland. You could say that civilization Not my favorite. It's a pretty bloody and brutal (but probably accurate) look at early life in the pre- Roman Poland. You could say that civilization had not yet arrived in the area. (Later progroms suggest that it never did, but that's beside the point) Lots of betrayal, suspicion, espionage, brutality as rival tribes battle to establish dominance and set their leader as king....more
A little slow, but entertaining. Susan, the main character, is a stodgy 40 something from a somewhat dysfunctional family, who has her world turned upA little slow, but entertaining. Susan, the main character, is a stodgy 40 something from a somewhat dysfunctional family, who has her world turned upside down by several events, which I won't enumerate to avoid spoilers. There are several funny scenes. ...more
Backman knocked it out of the park--er, rink--with Us Against You, the 2nd book in the Beartown series. Anyone who can keep my attention through not jBackman knocked it out of the park--er, rink--with Us Against You, the 2nd book in the Beartown series. Anyone who can keep my attention through not just one, but two books, presumably about hockey, deserves admiration. But of course, these books aren't really about hockey. They are about people, and Backman understands people. The ending had me almost breathless until I found out what happened. Outstanding novel, great writing. Almost every page has lines you could pull out and post as quotes on the wall. He deals with many social issues in a matter of fact but tender way....more
This book was a collaboration between Lee Child and his son Andrew. I wasn't sure how I'd feel about it if it weren't all Lee Child's words, but it woThis book was a collaboration between Lee Child and his son Andrew. I wasn't sure how I'd feel about it if it weren't all Lee Child's words, but it works. Lots of adventure, of course, as Reacher once again finds himself embroiled in a rat's nest of crime. There's some mystery here as we learn gradually just exactly what the crimes are. There are three threads of the plot which eventually come together. I don't think that's a spoiler--it's a pretty common technique anymore. And the Childses hold out a long time to let us in on the full nature of what's really going on. This is also not a spoiler if you've ready any Reacher books: at the end, the stage is littered with more bodies than a Shakespeare tragedy. I enjoyed (does that reflect on me somehow) this novel more than the last Reacher book I read. It's a 4 1/2 rounded up to 5....more
This was not at all what I expected, but it turned out to be so much better! Clover is a death doula who ends up facing all her own failings and feeliThis was not at all what I expected, but it turned out to be so much better! Clover is a death doula who ends up facing all her own failings and feelings. ...more
This short story engaged me, despite the fact that I'm rebelling against books where the narrator speaks directly to the reader. It's an okay techniquThis short story engaged me, despite the fact that I'm rebelling against books where the narrator speaks directly to the reader. It's an okay technique, but I've read four or five books lately that use it and its effect is no longer startling and entertaining. Despite that, I liked this story. The narrator has become semi-famous because he wrote a scathing expose==about his father. Then his circumstances change and he's forced to go back to his parents' home to live. He becomes caretaker for his father who is dying of cancer. Everyone thinks he's a hero but he knows otherwise. The end is touching and left me wanting more.
Merged review:
This short story engaged me, despite the fact that I'm rebelling against books where the narrator speaks directly to the reader. It's an okay technique, but I've read four or five books lately that use it and its effect is no longer startling and entertaining. Despite that, I liked this story. The narrator has become semi-famous because he wrote a scathing expose==about his father. Then his circumstances change and he's forced to go back to his parents' home to live. He becomes caretaker for his father who is dying of cancer. Everyone thinks he's a hero but he knows otherwise. The end is touching and left me wanting more....more
I enjoyed this collection of short stories. Several were very memorable. I thought they would connect more at the end since several were somewhat linkI enjoyed this collection of short stories. Several were very memorable. I thought they would connect more at the end since several were somewhat linked. They didn’t all connect. That was not a problem except in my assuming mind. ...more
The Book of Lost Friends is one of the most powerful books I've read lately. I was totally caught up in Benny's saga as a first year teacher in rural The Book of Lost Friends is one of the most powerful books I've read lately. I was totally caught up in Benny's saga as a first year teacher in rural Louisiana, as well as the stories of all the Lost Friends, freed slaves seeking their families from whom they'd been separated. The balance between historical and present day events is perfect and Wingate kept me reading to find out what had happened to all the characters. At first, I found the slave stories so depressing that I didn't think I'd be able to read the book at this point in my life, but Wingate sucked me in, and I was unwilling to abandon the book. I had to find out how all the stories connected--and of course they did. It's a book that should be required reading. We need to know the uncomfortable parts of our history, as well as the glorious....more
This was one of my favorite books this year. It was highly entertaining, which is not what you'd think of a book about a senior citizens club in a runThis was one of my favorite books this year. It was highly entertaining, which is not what you'd think of a book about a senior citizens club in a run down community center. Often when there is a large cast of characters, it's hard to keep them all straight. Not so with this novel as each character is unique. It seems they all have secrets. There's a scene at the end with them all on a bus going to a contest which is hysterical. ...more
Entertaining novel about a family discovering themselves and their secrets--and everyone else's. Large cast gathers at the funeral of the grandfather Entertaining novel about a family discovering themselves and their secrets--and everyone else's. Large cast gathers at the funeral of the grandfather and stays to celebrate a wedding....more
This was an amazing book. From a compilation of short stories written by famous writers during the pandemic, the editors wove together a Decameron typThis was an amazing book. From a compilation of short stories written by famous writers during the pandemic, the editors wove together a Decameron type story that totally captivated me. The idea was unusual: NYC apartment dwellers and their superintendent are quarantined during COVID and begin meeting on the roof at sunset to honor the first responders, get some air, and often get drunk. They begin telling stories, and, while some of the stories failed to grab me, the way they reflected on the tellers did. I loved the dialogue between the storytellers, and the internal dialogue of the super, a young woman. The ending was perfect....more
I am not a non-fiction fan. I enjoyed most of this book because it told Annie's story of a hard-scrabble life in Maine, and what led her to set off onI am not a non-fiction fan. I enjoyed most of this book because it told Annie's story of a hard-scrabble life in Maine, and what led her to set off on horseback across the US to California. I liked the parts about Annie's adventures, her horse(s), and dog. The author had done extensive research in writing this. And she wanted to share it. Letts did a good job of recreating 1950's America, but she was much more interested in the research than I. At the end of the book, there are 11 pages of notes, an 8 page bibliography (in small font!), and a 20 page index. Wow! I respect the effort it took to accumulate all this information and to ensure its accuracy, but I just wanted the st0ry. History and other non-fiction lovers will eat this stuff up, however. Letts was very thorough!...more
I started reading this series with book one, and got lost somewhere in the late teens. Since then I've read whichever one was available, not in order.I started reading this series with book one, and got lost somewhere in the late teens. Since then I've read whichever one was available, not in order. That really doesn't matter to the story as each book stands alone. References to "past events" are usually explained.
Some of the later books didn't have the same entertainment factor for me as the early books, but this one did. I really enjoyed it. Stephanie's FTA's (She's a bounty hunter, bringing in skips who have missed their court dates) get funnier and funnier.
Longtime fans will be very interested in the ending. What lies ahead????...more
This is one of the bloodier Joe Pickett, a Wyoming game warden, books. It begins with his prospective son-in-law being attacked and killed by a rogue This is one of the bloodier Joe Pickett, a Wyoming game warden, books. It begins with his prospective son-in-law being attacked and killed by a rogue grizzly. His job, along with the rest of the predatory team, is to find and destroy said grizzly. But this bear does not behave as normal grizzlies, so things get complicated fast. There is a second plot thread involving an ex-con who has a grudge against Joe and several others. The bear attacks continue all over Wyoming. Joe and his friend Nate, a master falconer, explore several theories. As I said, things get bloody between the grizzly and ex=con and his friends. It's pretty clever, but not for the squeamish. Fans of Joe Pickett books will learn a little more about his past here, but you don't need to know the series to read any of the books individually....more
Funny and action packed. I liked the characters, wacky as they were. Many times when an author creates unusual characters, they are overdone. I didn’tFunny and action packed. I liked the characters, wacky as they were. Many times when an author creates unusual characters, they are overdone. I didn’t find that to be the case here. Amy enlists the help of her father-in-law Steve, a retired police officer, to help her determine who’s behind a series of murders. Their escapades take them around the world, much to Steve’s dismay. Entertaining. Kept me guessing ....more
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