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 - part the second
INNOCENT by Scott Turow
About twenty five years ago, attorney Turow wrote a novel in his spare time and hit pay dirt. In PRESUMED INNOCENT, a small group of attorneys who work together as judges, prosecutors, and defenders are jolted when one of them is accused of murder. The book had a wide readership, was sold to Hollywood and made into a successful movie, and gave Turow the economic freedom never to have to work again.
Turow did not retire from his practice with a large Chicago based legal partnership, instead devoted his working hours as an attorney to pro bono work taken on by his firm. And he has continued to write. I really admired his non fiction ULTIMATE PUNISHMENT, in which he analyzes the issues surrounding the death penalty.
This latest novel returns to the characters in PRESUMED INNOCENT. Not surprisingly, many of the tensions between the characters which supported the plot of the first novel are still there, and when another death occurs with a distressing delay in reporting the discovery to the authorities, all the conflict rises to the surface again. This is probably not the best suspense novel of recent months, but it's definitely worth picking up, especially for readers who enjoyed Turow's other titles.
THE COOKBOOK COLLECTOR by Allegra Goodman
Two sisters living in present day California are at the heart of this novel. One is the highly successful head of an internet start-up, the other is adrift, managing on a collection of short lived part time jobs.
Issues of evironmental activism; the worth of antique artifacts; the dot com boom; the weight of family secrets; the conflict between the value of wealth and the value of character are all woven together by the author.
I've read comparisons to Jane Austen's SENSE AND SENSIBIITY and there are a few parallels, but this book doesn't need any tie ins to a respected author who preceded her. Quite a bit more going on here than just chick lit.
THE SENTRY by Robert Crais
One of the best literary creations in suspense is Crais' Joe Pike. Never a wrong step; always appearing exactly when needed; never worrying about the legal rights of wrong doers. On a routine trip to take care of a routine chore - filling his gas tank - Pike observes an attempted shakedown of the owners of a small sandwich shop. He steps in to intervene, and sets off a string of events that become more and more complex and enigmatic. Who is the bad guy here? And who is the good guy? The reader begins to suspect the worst long before Pike does.
I'm always ready for a new book by Crais.
OUR KIND OF TRAITOR and TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER, SPY by John leCarre
The first title above is fairly current, the second is one of leCarre's best known spy novels. In the recent book, two vacationers to a tennis resort in the Caribbean catch the eye of a Russian entrepreneur, also on vacation. The Russian asks for a private meeting, and proposes all sorts of critical information in exchange for a chance to defect and for guaranteed safety for his family. The author has several rather grim conclusions about the integrity of present day interntional espionage.
TINKER has been produced for film twice, the first time in a six part adaptation for television, and about a year ago in a feature film. I've seen both, and recommend them both, but I prefer the TV adaptation, primarily because scriptwriters need the luxury of six hours of air time to do justice to this story.
But nothing beats reading the book. Both screen plays begin with an event which doesn't appear in the text of the novel until a little past half way through. So viewers have a sliver of understanding of what it's all about, while readers must slowly and patiently follow all the twists and turns, until understanding begins to dawn.
I have a few more titles to tell you about. More later, I promise.
About twenty five years ago, attorney Turow wrote a novel in his spare time and hit pay dirt. In PRESUMED INNOCENT, a small group of attorneys who work together as judges, prosecutors, and defenders are jolted when one of them is accused of murder. The book had a wide readership, was sold to Hollywood and made into a successful movie, and gave Turow the economic freedom never to have to work again.
Turow did not retire from his practice with a large Chicago based legal partnership, instead devoted his working hours as an attorney to pro bono work taken on by his firm. And he has continued to write. I really admired his non fiction ULTIMATE PUNISHMENT, in which he analyzes the issues surrounding the death penalty.
This latest novel returns to the characters in PRESUMED INNOCENT. Not surprisingly, many of the tensions between the characters which supported the plot of the first novel are still there, and when another death occurs with a distressing delay in reporting the discovery to the authorities, all the conflict rises to the surface again. This is probably not the best suspense novel of recent months, but it's definitely worth picking up, especially for readers who enjoyed Turow's other titles.
THE COOKBOOK COLLECTOR by Allegra Goodman
Two sisters living in present day California are at the heart of this novel. One is the highly successful head of an internet start-up, the other is adrift, managing on a collection of short lived part time jobs.
Issues of evironmental activism; the worth of antique artifacts; the dot com boom; the weight of family secrets; the conflict between the value of wealth and the value of character are all woven together by the author.
I've read comparisons to Jane Austen's SENSE AND SENSIBIITY and there are a few parallels, but this book doesn't need any tie ins to a respected author who preceded her. Quite a bit more going on here than just chick lit.
THE SENTRY by Robert Crais
One of the best literary creations in suspense is Crais' Joe Pike. Never a wrong step; always appearing exactly when needed; never worrying about the legal rights of wrong doers. On a routine trip to take care of a routine chore - filling his gas tank - Pike observes an attempted shakedown of the owners of a small sandwich shop. He steps in to intervene, and sets off a string of events that become more and more complex and enigmatic. Who is the bad guy here? And who is the good guy? The reader begins to suspect the worst long before Pike does.
I'm always ready for a new book by Crais.
OUR KIND OF TRAITOR and TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER, SPY by John leCarre
The first title above is fairly current, the second is one of leCarre's best known spy novels. In the recent book, two vacationers to a tennis resort in the Caribbean catch the eye of a Russian entrepreneur, also on vacation. The Russian asks for a private meeting, and proposes all sorts of critical information in exchange for a chance to defect and for guaranteed safety for his family. The author has several rather grim conclusions about the integrity of present day interntional espionage.
TINKER has been produced for film twice, the first time in a six part adaptation for television, and about a year ago in a feature film. I've seen both, and recommend them both, but I prefer the TV adaptation, primarily because scriptwriters need the luxury of six hours of air time to do justice to this story.
But nothing beats reading the book. Both screen plays begin with an event which doesn't appear in the text of the novel until a little past half way through. So viewers have a sliver of understanding of what it's all about, while readers must slowly and patiently follow all the twists and turns, until understanding begins to dawn.
I have a few more titles to tell you about. More later, I promise.
Read/Post Comments (3)
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