Books and other stuff I feel like discussing
By education and experience - Accountant with a specialty in taxation. Formerly a CPA (license has lapsed). Masters degree in law of taxation from University of Denver. Now retired. Part time work during baseball season as receptionist & switchboard operator for the Colorado Rockies. This gig feeds my soul in ways I have trouble articulating. One daughter, and four grandchildren. I share the house with two cats; a big goof of a cat called Grinch (named as a joke for his easy going "whatever" disposition); and Lady, a shelter adoptee with a regal bearing and sweet little soprano voice. I would be very bereft if it ever becomes necessary to keep house without a cat.
Mood:
Advisory
Read/Post Comments (1)
Books update - part the first
It's been awhile since I've summarized my reading - so I plan to do this in two sessions.
EVERY LAST ONE by Anna Quindlen
I first encountered Quindlen when I picked up a paperback reprint of her NYTimes columns. She eventually branched out into fiction, and I've read most of her novels. To tell you what this story is "about" would ruin your reading experience. The friendship between two suburban wives and mothers has changed as the years have gone by, but they retain a connection as a son and daughter begin to date each other. Tragedy srikes both families simulataneously, and how each mother responds and copes is the heart of Quindlen's tale. Much, much more than "chick lit"
61 HOURS by Lee Child
Lone traveler Jack Reacher is in South Dakota in the midst of a bitter winter storm, and lands in the middle of a tense conflict between the residents and another group of mysterious people who have moved into an abandoned military base. I think this is the first installment of a two book adventure. While tensions are resolved by book's end, not all the loose ends are tied up, and the jacket cover promises another entry coming soon. Child and Reacher never disappoint.
SPIES OF THE BALKANS by Alan Furst
Furst sets most of his books in the years leading up to WWII, as well as in the first few years of the war. Readers therefore can have a pretty good idea of how the general flow of events will turn out, yet Furst manages to keep them suspenseful and intriguing. That can't be easy.
A cop in a small Greek seaside town copes with a steady stream of refugees fleeing the Nazis; some spies from other countries hoping to stay undercover; and the approaching havoc of invasion. If you haven't read any of his books, now is the time to start. He has an extensive back list and they're all worthwhile.
THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO by Steig Larsson
I probably don't have anything sensible to add to the flood of commentary on this book. I started reading in print about a year ago or longer, and just couldn't get anywhere. When I started in on audio as I walked through my neighborhood, I was hooked. Iconic characters and interweaving story threads. I think I will probably listen to the next one as well.
BIBLE AND SWORD by Barbara Tuchman
This is, I think, Tuchman's first published work of historical analysis. Going all the way back to legends about the life of Joseph of Arimithea, she traces the combined stories of British and Palestinian/Israeli relations. She stops at about the middle of the 20th century, but I learned a lot about how the Middle East got to where it is now. Needless to say, this book kicked off a distinguished career, and it's recently been reissued in a new trade paperback with some comments from the author.
SPOON by Robert Greer
Greer lives in Colorado, and I heard him interviewed on the radio. I hadn't heard much about his books, so I took a look at the one discussed in his interview. In one sense a coming of age story set in a ranching community in Montana, the book traces the conflict between lifestyles when geologists arrive hoping to excavate in the area. I found most of the themes of the book rather tried and true, and more than a little predictable.
THE FIRST RULE by Robert Crais
When Joe Pike learns that a friend of his has been brutally murdered along with his wife and children; he sets out to investigate and avenge the killings. Along the way he befriends an orphaned toddler.
Typical action and adventure from Crais, and as usual, the reader is the only one who can perceive the soft tender heart at the center of Pike's persona.
INTO THE WILD by Jon Krakauer
Krakauer was intrigued by the story of a young man from a priviledged family who set out on a cross country solo adventure ending up in Alaska where he starved to death.
I find Krakauer one of the more thoughtful writers working today, and this book comes at the story from a rather surprising point of view, since the author found himself identifying with the young wanderer.
BLIND JUSTICE by Bruce Alexander
Sir John Fielding was the brother of author Henry Fielding and regarded as the founder of London's first organized police force. He was also a magistrate in the court system of 18th century London.
In this fictionalized story, the blind Fielding takes an interest in a young vagrant appearing in his court and provides the young man a home. The teenager is the narrator of the tale as the two investigate the mysterious death of a privileged Londoner.
I hope to read more in this series - I really enjoyed this first installment.
SEARCHING FOR TAMSEN DONNER by Gabrielle Burton
I heard this book reviewed on NPR, and my interest was piqued. It took a little work to find a copy, my local library eventually ordered the book from another metro area library. It was definitely worth the effort.
Donner was the wife of the leader of the infamous Donner party which was trapped in the high Sierras of California when their wagon train was overcome by an early winter storm.
Author Burton had been fascinated with Donner's story most of her life. She also hoped to forge a writing career for herself as she raised five daughters.
This book will definitely be on my "best of 2010" list - an engrossing combination of memoir, biography, history, and adventure.
That's it for the first stab at getting up to date. More later!
EVERY LAST ONE by Anna Quindlen
I first encountered Quindlen when I picked up a paperback reprint of her NYTimes columns. She eventually branched out into fiction, and I've read most of her novels. To tell you what this story is "about" would ruin your reading experience. The friendship between two suburban wives and mothers has changed as the years have gone by, but they retain a connection as a son and daughter begin to date each other. Tragedy srikes both families simulataneously, and how each mother responds and copes is the heart of Quindlen's tale. Much, much more than "chick lit"
61 HOURS by Lee Child
Lone traveler Jack Reacher is in South Dakota in the midst of a bitter winter storm, and lands in the middle of a tense conflict between the residents and another group of mysterious people who have moved into an abandoned military base. I think this is the first installment of a two book adventure. While tensions are resolved by book's end, not all the loose ends are tied up, and the jacket cover promises another entry coming soon. Child and Reacher never disappoint.
SPIES OF THE BALKANS by Alan Furst
Furst sets most of his books in the years leading up to WWII, as well as in the first few years of the war. Readers therefore can have a pretty good idea of how the general flow of events will turn out, yet Furst manages to keep them suspenseful and intriguing. That can't be easy.
A cop in a small Greek seaside town copes with a steady stream of refugees fleeing the Nazis; some spies from other countries hoping to stay undercover; and the approaching havoc of invasion. If you haven't read any of his books, now is the time to start. He has an extensive back list and they're all worthwhile.
THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO by Steig Larsson
I probably don't have anything sensible to add to the flood of commentary on this book. I started reading in print about a year ago or longer, and just couldn't get anywhere. When I started in on audio as I walked through my neighborhood, I was hooked. Iconic characters and interweaving story threads. I think I will probably listen to the next one as well.
BIBLE AND SWORD by Barbara Tuchman
This is, I think, Tuchman's first published work of historical analysis. Going all the way back to legends about the life of Joseph of Arimithea, she traces the combined stories of British and Palestinian/Israeli relations. She stops at about the middle of the 20th century, but I learned a lot about how the Middle East got to where it is now. Needless to say, this book kicked off a distinguished career, and it's recently been reissued in a new trade paperback with some comments from the author.
SPOON by Robert Greer
Greer lives in Colorado, and I heard him interviewed on the radio. I hadn't heard much about his books, so I took a look at the one discussed in his interview. In one sense a coming of age story set in a ranching community in Montana, the book traces the conflict between lifestyles when geologists arrive hoping to excavate in the area. I found most of the themes of the book rather tried and true, and more than a little predictable.
THE FIRST RULE by Robert Crais
When Joe Pike learns that a friend of his has been brutally murdered along with his wife and children; he sets out to investigate and avenge the killings. Along the way he befriends an orphaned toddler.
Typical action and adventure from Crais, and as usual, the reader is the only one who can perceive the soft tender heart at the center of Pike's persona.
INTO THE WILD by Jon Krakauer
Krakauer was intrigued by the story of a young man from a priviledged family who set out on a cross country solo adventure ending up in Alaska where he starved to death.
I find Krakauer one of the more thoughtful writers working today, and this book comes at the story from a rather surprising point of view, since the author found himself identifying with the young wanderer.
BLIND JUSTICE by Bruce Alexander
Sir John Fielding was the brother of author Henry Fielding and regarded as the founder of London's first organized police force. He was also a magistrate in the court system of 18th century London.
In this fictionalized story, the blind Fielding takes an interest in a young vagrant appearing in his court and provides the young man a home. The teenager is the narrator of the tale as the two investigate the mysterious death of a privileged Londoner.
I hope to read more in this series - I really enjoyed this first installment.
SEARCHING FOR TAMSEN DONNER by Gabrielle Burton
I heard this book reviewed on NPR, and my interest was piqued. It took a little work to find a copy, my local library eventually ordered the book from another metro area library. It was definitely worth the effort.
Donner was the wife of the leader of the infamous Donner party which was trapped in the high Sierras of California when their wagon train was overcome by an early winter storm.
Author Burton had been fascinated with Donner's story most of her life. She also hoped to forge a writing career for herself as she raised five daughters.
This book will definitely be on my "best of 2010" list - an engrossing combination of memoir, biography, history, and adventure.
That's it for the first stab at getting up to date. More later!
Read/Post Comments (1)
Previous Entry :: Next Entry
Back to Top
