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.
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Books Update
This is probably the last update for awhile. I'll explain more in the following entry. But since the last few weeks of 2009, here's my reading log:
NINE DRAGONS by Michael Connelly
Harry Bosch returns, and left this reader disappointed. Investigating the death of the owner of a small store, apparently during a robbery gone bad, Bosch receives a strange video message from his teenaged daughter. Fearing that she is being held as a pawn by those wishing to thwart his investigation of the murder, he zooms off to Hong Kong. About half way through the book, I really didn't care too much about what action might be unfolding, read the last chapter or so, had my suspicions confirmed, and took the book back to the library. Connelly remains on my "don't miss" list, but this was a let down.
THE FINANCIAL LIVES OF THE POETS by Jess Walter
I first encountered Walter when I picked up his account of the tragedy at Ruby Ridge, Idaho. I was delighted to see him get the Edgar for CITIZEN VINCE a few years ago, thought THE ZERO one of the best post 9/11 books I read, and now he takes on the current economic malaise in the US. Quite a few sardonic pokes at much of contemporary society, but at heart the story of an earnest man trying to do his best for himself, his family, and his job skills.
TRUE COMPASS BY Edward Kennedy
Perhaps he did evade direct answers to the most pressing questions raised by the tabloid press of the last 35-40 years, but I have to wonder what answers he might have given which would have fully satisfied everyone. Most intriguing to me were his accounts of his early days as a political organizer for his brother John.
PARALLEL PLAY by Tim Page
A very intriguing autobiography by a Pulitzer Prize winning music critic, who has Asberger's Syndrome. I can recommend it to readers who enjoy biography.
THE LACUNA by Barbara Kingsolver
The main character grows up in Mexico, returning to his native US after working for several years as a personal assistant to Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, and Leon Trotsky! Hard to top that work history! However, his successful life as a writer is thrown into chaos when HUAC and the McCarthy committee set their sights on him.
A GATE AT THE STAIRS by Lorrie Moore
I wasn't quite as enthralled by this novel as many reviewers were, but still enjoyed the coming of age story which is touched in more than one fashion by post 9/11 ennui.
K2: LIFE AND DEATH ON THE WORLD'S MOST DANGEROUS MOUNTAIN by Ed Viesturs
I've always been a sucker for a good adventure story, and Viesturs is a very thoughtful writer as well as a skilled climber experienced at some of the most challenging mountains in the world. He retells the stories of several expeditions to K2, and provides spell binding armchair adventures.
RED BONES by Jane Cleeves
Shetland Islands cop Jimmy Perez investigates the strange death of an eccentric old woman and the subsequent stabbing of an archeology student who had worked on the woman's property. Long ago WWII exploits of those who helped Norwegian freedom fighters provide the answers to the puzzle. A few years ago, I visited several sites in Norway connected to these events, and I enjoyed reading about the Scottish connection. Cleeves series featuring Jimmy Perez is worth seeking out.
TRANSGRESSIONS Otto Penzler, editor
This is a collection of several novella length stories by an impressive roster of suspense writers. Lawrence Block, Walter Mosley, Sharon McCrumb, to name a few. I listened on audio as I took walks in the early morning hours, and enjoyed the variety of settings.
SHADOW MEN by Jonathon King
PI Max Freeman investigates the claims of a Florida man who believes that his great grandfather and two uncles were murdered during the constuction of a road in the Everglades. I like King's series featuring Freeman and wish he would write a little faster!
WHAT THE DOG SAW by Malcolm Gladwell
This is a collection of essays previously published in the New Yorker magazine. Gladwell is one of the authors who narrates his own recorded books, and I enjoy his style of delivery. He always finds a different slant on many topics in the news and I come away thinking about events a little differently.
IN THE DARK by Mark Billingham
A London cop dies in a tragic accident when a car being followed by a group of hoodlums goes out of control and slams into a bus stop. His pregnant girl friend begins to investigate the events, for reasons she can't quite articulate. The point of view shifts from her inquiry to the group of young men, to a wealthy crook who may or may not be involved in the death.
THE RED DOOR by Charles Todd
Inspector Ian Rutledge investigates the strange bludgeoning death of a WWI widow who has been living quietly in a small country cottage; and the mysterious amnesiac illness of a wealthy Englishman. When surnames important in both situations turn out to be identical, Rutledge must untwist and understand several tangled relationships. Another enjoyable installment in Todd's series featuring Rutledge.
WHERE THE GOD OF LOVE HANGS OUT by Amy Bloom
This is a collection of short stories loosely connected by the theme of love in its many forms. There are two sets of stories which follow the same characters. I really enjoyed Bloom's novel AWAY of a few years ago, and look forward to whatever she may choose to publish next.
NINE DRAGONS by Michael Connelly
Harry Bosch returns, and left this reader disappointed. Investigating the death of the owner of a small store, apparently during a robbery gone bad, Bosch receives a strange video message from his teenaged daughter. Fearing that she is being held as a pawn by those wishing to thwart his investigation of the murder, he zooms off to Hong Kong. About half way through the book, I really didn't care too much about what action might be unfolding, read the last chapter or so, had my suspicions confirmed, and took the book back to the library. Connelly remains on my "don't miss" list, but this was a let down.
THE FINANCIAL LIVES OF THE POETS by Jess Walter
I first encountered Walter when I picked up his account of the tragedy at Ruby Ridge, Idaho. I was delighted to see him get the Edgar for CITIZEN VINCE a few years ago, thought THE ZERO one of the best post 9/11 books I read, and now he takes on the current economic malaise in the US. Quite a few sardonic pokes at much of contemporary society, but at heart the story of an earnest man trying to do his best for himself, his family, and his job skills.
TRUE COMPASS BY Edward Kennedy
Perhaps he did evade direct answers to the most pressing questions raised by the tabloid press of the last 35-40 years, but I have to wonder what answers he might have given which would have fully satisfied everyone. Most intriguing to me were his accounts of his early days as a political organizer for his brother John.
PARALLEL PLAY by Tim Page
A very intriguing autobiography by a Pulitzer Prize winning music critic, who has Asberger's Syndrome. I can recommend it to readers who enjoy biography.
THE LACUNA by Barbara Kingsolver
The main character grows up in Mexico, returning to his native US after working for several years as a personal assistant to Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, and Leon Trotsky! Hard to top that work history! However, his successful life as a writer is thrown into chaos when HUAC and the McCarthy committee set their sights on him.
A GATE AT THE STAIRS by Lorrie Moore
I wasn't quite as enthralled by this novel as many reviewers were, but still enjoyed the coming of age story which is touched in more than one fashion by post 9/11 ennui.
K2: LIFE AND DEATH ON THE WORLD'S MOST DANGEROUS MOUNTAIN by Ed Viesturs
I've always been a sucker for a good adventure story, and Viesturs is a very thoughtful writer as well as a skilled climber experienced at some of the most challenging mountains in the world. He retells the stories of several expeditions to K2, and provides spell binding armchair adventures.
RED BONES by Jane Cleeves
Shetland Islands cop Jimmy Perez investigates the strange death of an eccentric old woman and the subsequent stabbing of an archeology student who had worked on the woman's property. Long ago WWII exploits of those who helped Norwegian freedom fighters provide the answers to the puzzle. A few years ago, I visited several sites in Norway connected to these events, and I enjoyed reading about the Scottish connection. Cleeves series featuring Jimmy Perez is worth seeking out.
TRANSGRESSIONS Otto Penzler, editor
This is a collection of several novella length stories by an impressive roster of suspense writers. Lawrence Block, Walter Mosley, Sharon McCrumb, to name a few. I listened on audio as I took walks in the early morning hours, and enjoyed the variety of settings.
SHADOW MEN by Jonathon King
PI Max Freeman investigates the claims of a Florida man who believes that his great grandfather and two uncles were murdered during the constuction of a road in the Everglades. I like King's series featuring Freeman and wish he would write a little faster!
WHAT THE DOG SAW by Malcolm Gladwell
This is a collection of essays previously published in the New Yorker magazine. Gladwell is one of the authors who narrates his own recorded books, and I enjoy his style of delivery. He always finds a different slant on many topics in the news and I come away thinking about events a little differently.
IN THE DARK by Mark Billingham
A London cop dies in a tragic accident when a car being followed by a group of hoodlums goes out of control and slams into a bus stop. His pregnant girl friend begins to investigate the events, for reasons she can't quite articulate. The point of view shifts from her inquiry to the group of young men, to a wealthy crook who may or may not be involved in the death.
THE RED DOOR by Charles Todd
Inspector Ian Rutledge investigates the strange bludgeoning death of a WWI widow who has been living quietly in a small country cottage; and the mysterious amnesiac illness of a wealthy Englishman. When surnames important in both situations turn out to be identical, Rutledge must untwist and understand several tangled relationships. Another enjoyable installment in Todd's series featuring Rutledge.
WHERE THE GOD OF LOVE HANGS OUT by Amy Bloom
This is a collection of short stories loosely connected by the theme of love in its many forms. There are two sets of stories which follow the same characters. I really enjoyed Bloom's novel AWAY of a few years ago, and look forward to whatever she may choose to publish next.
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