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:
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Books Update
It's been awhile, but not to worry, I have been reading!
THE WRECKAGE by Michael Robotham
Robotham writes a very nice group of books, set in present day London and featuring many of the same characters from one title to the next. He doesn't precisely have a series in the classic sense, but the reader can appreciate quite a few characters from differing points of view.
In this one, the action begins in Baghdad and moves on to London, and involves a complex money laundering scheme to divert the millions poured into the war and various recovery and nation building efforts.
Quite a few government officials are involved in the mess.
SHARDS by Ismet Prcic
One of the best books of the year, and indeed of the last few years. The author is an immigrant from Bosnia, currently living in the Pacific Northwest. He wrote this in English, which is his second language, and the achievement is remarkable.
He has two main characters, the protagonist, who strives to get out of Bosnia to the West; and Mustafa, a sort of shadow character, or cipher, who is in the military in the Bosnian war. As the book develops, the characters, experiences, and memories of the two men begin to blend and blur. The effect is unsettling; very, very dark; yet deeply engrossing. I heard the author read from his manuscript in an NPR podcast, and haven't heard much else about the book. It deserves a much wider reputation.
NEW TRICKS by David Rosenfelt
Rosenfelt is a dog lover, and writes about a crusading lawyer who also happens to run a sanctuary for abandoned dogs. The books have a light hearted touch to them, yet don't deal with trivial matters. In this one, a potential winner for the dog show circuit is involved in a convoluted custody battle after both its owners are murdered. In addition to representing the dog in the court proceedings which follow, the lawyer cares for the dog for a few weeks. It sounds sort of silly, but his books are worth reading.
LET THE GREAT WORLD SPIN by Colum McCann
The National Book Award winner for fiction in 2009. It's been on my library list for a very long time, and I eventually checked it out and read it. On the day in the early 70's, when Phillipe Petit stretched a wire between the twin towers and walked across, the seemingly unconnected lives of a group of New Yorkers unfold. The author eventually ties everything together and in a very poignant last chapter, has a reference to Sept of 2011 which is very appropriate and even welcome. Another one for the best of 2012 list.
ED KING by David Guterson
Guterson retells the legend of Oedipus the King. It took me awhile to realize what I was reading. I would say he pulled it off pretty well. A young man with every advantage in the world who can seemingly do no wrong, begins a fabulously successful internet search engine, marries a glamorous widow, and in a moment of curiousity, looks for some personal information and discovers the truth. A nicely enigmatic ending!
I've got a few more books to report on, I'll finish up later this evening or perhaps tomorrow.
THE WRECKAGE by Michael Robotham
Robotham writes a very nice group of books, set in present day London and featuring many of the same characters from one title to the next. He doesn't precisely have a series in the classic sense, but the reader can appreciate quite a few characters from differing points of view.
In this one, the action begins in Baghdad and moves on to London, and involves a complex money laundering scheme to divert the millions poured into the war and various recovery and nation building efforts.
Quite a few government officials are involved in the mess.
SHARDS by Ismet Prcic
One of the best books of the year, and indeed of the last few years. The author is an immigrant from Bosnia, currently living in the Pacific Northwest. He wrote this in English, which is his second language, and the achievement is remarkable.
He has two main characters, the protagonist, who strives to get out of Bosnia to the West; and Mustafa, a sort of shadow character, or cipher, who is in the military in the Bosnian war. As the book develops, the characters, experiences, and memories of the two men begin to blend and blur. The effect is unsettling; very, very dark; yet deeply engrossing. I heard the author read from his manuscript in an NPR podcast, and haven't heard much else about the book. It deserves a much wider reputation.
NEW TRICKS by David Rosenfelt
Rosenfelt is a dog lover, and writes about a crusading lawyer who also happens to run a sanctuary for abandoned dogs. The books have a light hearted touch to them, yet don't deal with trivial matters. In this one, a potential winner for the dog show circuit is involved in a convoluted custody battle after both its owners are murdered. In addition to representing the dog in the court proceedings which follow, the lawyer cares for the dog for a few weeks. It sounds sort of silly, but his books are worth reading.
LET THE GREAT WORLD SPIN by Colum McCann
The National Book Award winner for fiction in 2009. It's been on my library list for a very long time, and I eventually checked it out and read it. On the day in the early 70's, when Phillipe Petit stretched a wire between the twin towers and walked across, the seemingly unconnected lives of a group of New Yorkers unfold. The author eventually ties everything together and in a very poignant last chapter, has a reference to Sept of 2011 which is very appropriate and even welcome. Another one for the best of 2012 list.
ED KING by David Guterson
Guterson retells the legend of Oedipus the King. It took me awhile to realize what I was reading. I would say he pulled it off pretty well. A young man with every advantage in the world who can seemingly do no wrong, begins a fabulously successful internet search engine, marries a glamorous widow, and in a moment of curiousity, looks for some personal information and discovers the truth. A nicely enigmatic ending!
I've got a few more books to report on, I'll finish up later this evening or perhaps tomorrow.
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