Michael Crichton, 1942 - 2008

Michael Crichton has been one of my favorite author's for many years. I was very saddened to hear that he has died.
Lost World was the first book I bought in hard back, brand new, from an actual bookstore. I was in high school and was at the mall with either a choir or church group when I saw it and had to buy it.
I have greatly enjoyed his books and will miss them.

Book of Lies by Brad Meltzer

I heard a radio interview on NPR featuring Book of Lies by Brad Meltzer and was immediately interested. Cain (of Cain and Abel) correlating to Super Man and Jerry Siegel? Throw in some World War II references and I'm hooked.
I really enjoyed, Book of Lies, and read it over the weekend, something I rarely do. it was fast paced and mostly interesting. I love religious treasure hunts that tie back to World War II (who doesn't :-} ) and that is exactly what it is.
It kept me guessing and intrigued up to the last few chapters.

Recommended for fans of the Steve Berry, Daughter of God and the Da Vinci Code.

Confessions of "The Old Wizard"

confession

Secret of Lost Things by Sheridan Hay

I loved the beginning of this book but almost didn't finish it after an incident in the book. I'm glad that I did and overall I loved the book. Especially the quotes listed below.

"Our business is to find homes for books with the hope that they will be loved as we have loved them. My heart is broken every day I make a sale; then renewed again by the arrival of an unexpected replacement...after nearly fifty years my relationship to books remains mysterious to me, but I know from my own collection that ownership is the most intimate tie we can have to objects."
Page 112.

"Reality is as thin as paper, girl," said Pearl, shaking her head. "I thought that was one thing you did know, what with an imagination like yours-as thin as paper, and as easily torn."
Page 137

A book was like a drawer: one opened it and notions flew out.
Page 144

All we are not stares back at what we are.
Page 218

Somnambulist by Jonathan Barnes

What an incredibly odd book! It reminded me a bit of the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, in that it was fantastical and combined different mythological ideas into one story line. It was worth reading and kept my interest, although, once again, I'm not sure who I would recommend it to except my little brother!

Aunt Dimity: Vampire Hunter

A very cute installment in the Aunt Dimity series. If you haven't read any of her books, start at the beginning of the series!

Venetian Betrayal by Steve Berry

Another book in his series featuring bookseller Malone.
Venice is my favorite city in the entire world, and it was nice to read a book from a series that I love that also has scenes in my favorite city.
His books are always interesting, and this one was no disappointment.

Monster Hunters Handbook

Perfect for fans of BTVS, Angel and various other...fantasy related tv series.
Here are a few examples of the monsters and how to kill them:
Chimera, a lion, with the head of a goat on its back and a snake for its tail.
to kill: Any ranged weapon, preferable bow and arrow, just keep your distance!
Djinn: humanoid creatures, very intelligent. They were created from fire and can become invisible and intangible. They are not all evil. (one was featured in an episode of Supernatural).
to Kill (if its evil): they are very difficult to kill. Its best to have a spare companion, then the Djinn can possess that person and you just kill the person.

Wheel of Darkness by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child

A very nice edition to the series. Things were touch and go for a few minutes/chapters there, but it ended well, and I knew it! :-}
*****

Currently Reading...

The Sanctuary by Raymond Khoury. Its good, I just don't know if I'll finish it. I wasn't as into it until it flashed back to the Spanish Inquisition and gave more info on the book this book is about.
The problem is: Karin Slaughter's book just came in. And its on hold for me.
The other problem is: The Wheel of Darkness by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child is sitting in the back room. Tempting me to pick it up and take it home. If I do that though, it will be finished sooner and I'll have to wait another 6 months to years before they release another book. That is sad.

I am actually reading a book

Brotherhood of the Holy Shroud, which I mentioned on my previous post. Its pretty good. Although, I think I'm getting distracted. I am over half way through since Thursday, I have about 150 pages left. I'm hoping to finish it.
It is odd to me, as well as to some of the characters, that wanting to restore the holy relic of the shroud to the place that they say it belongs, causes them to chose to kill innocent people. In this day and age they should just announce what they want instead of having covert operations and secret societies. I'm sure people wouldn't mind if it went back to its supposed home if they knew that it was a good idea.

Stop dressing your Six-Year-Old like a skank

and other worlds of delicate southern wisdom, by Celia Rivenbark.
Its actually a very fun book.

Hannibal Rising by Thomas Harris

A very good book. If you like books about cannibalism, World War II, Paris and unrepentant murderers. Which, of course, I do. :-}
It was interesting to hear about his early childhood, but the book leaved enough unwritten that I'm sure a sequel will be produced as soon as the movie for this one is finished.

Santa Cruise by Mary and Carol Higgins Clark

Once again, Nora and Regan as well as MHC's Alvirah are brought together as they enjoy the maiden voyage of the Royal Mermaid.
A very fun short mystery.
Recommended for: Fans of Mary Higgins Clark and/or Carol Higgins Clark

Eifelheim by Michael Flynn

I tried. Really, I did. But I could not get through this tale of aliens in the dark ages and time travel in the present. I'm sure it got much more interesting after page 157, but I was bored and had to let it go.
Sorry.

Love, Lies and Liquor, An Agatha Raisin Mystery by MC Beaton

A fun book in the Agatha Raisin series that find our Agatha Raisin feeling much more independent. Good for her! It also finds her...confirmed bachelor ex-husband feeling a bit put out by Aggie's lack of apparent interest in him.
James gets tired of Aggie ignoring him and decides to take her on holiday to a small town on the coast that he has fond memories of visiting as a child. Well, of course things have changed and wouldn't you know that someone gets murdered and Agatha must solve the crime or maybe end up being the next victim.
Not recommended for: my mum, she thought it was a bit crass, or people who are bothered by a bit of crass humor or bad attitudes.
Recommended for: those who love mysteries that take place in England such as the Aunt Dimity series. Those who like mysteries starring 50ish women.

The Interpretation of Muder by Jed Rubenfeld

I was somewhat suprised by this book. It is not for the person who is sensitive to matters concerning alternative sexual practices (S&M, etc). It was very interesting to learn more about New York city in 1909 as well as some of the people who lived there. It is definetely fictional but many of the events and people are based on actual people.
Set around Freud's only visit to America in 1909, this finds a young friend of his (and psychoanalysist) caught up in a murder investigation and caught up with a young girl. There are many twists and the book will keep you guessing.
I read listened to the audio book read by Kirby Heyborne who did a very nice job not only with the male voices, but with the female voices.
I did enjoy most of it, though some made me slightly uncomfortable, but I think that maybe that is what the author intended.
Recommended for: those who are curious about Freud, not squeamish

The Shepherd, the Angel and Walter the Christmas Miracle Dog by Dave Barry

A very cute book by Dave Barry, much better than big trouble or his other fictional stories (though I have not read the Peter Pan sequels).
A young boy recounts his Christmas adventures, tragedies and miracles. Recommended for anyone with a sense of humor.

Multiple Authors

Sometimes I look at a book that is by multiple authors and wonder just how much that other author really contributes. There are times when having two authors works well as with Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child, but there are now books that seem to be from a major author with someone else. I wonder how much the major author really contributed.
For example: Judge & Jury by James Patterson and Andrew Gross. I wonder how much James Patterson really wrote. I'm sure that sometimes lesser known authors are taken under the wing of a widely known author to give them some exposure and then the lesser known author publishes their own books and is recognized for having written with the major author.
Hm.

Books

I have decided to actually read books. I know, I know, being a librarian of sorts, I should be reading books daily! But alas, my pursuits are more in the technology end of the library and I end up playing with computers all day. I know, Poor me. :-}
The problem with books is that I get bored so easily. I can watch movies for hours but am very picky when it comes to books.
So, I'm trying again. Hopefully some deep love of books (reading even, not just owning) will re-emmerge.