2022 | rnhope

I am Radar by Reif Larsen - what a wonderful, amazing, curious and bizarre book... I can't describe it. It comes in four or five parts that are each fascinating alone but then brought together in an ending unlike anything I've seen. Radar is Radar Radmanovich, and the story is about his birth to young adulthood. It is also the story of his parents separate and apart from Radar. It involves performance art and genocide. It is about everything and anything; crafted in such a way that leaves you scratching your head. The story circles from New Jersey to the Arctic to the Congo... seamlessly. Just a great book but HUGE, and a difficult read.
The Hunting Trip by William E Butterworth III - very fun little tale; hard to describe but I had a great time reading it.
The Willows in Winter by William Horwood - a sequel to The Wind in the Willows, nearly 100 years later. The writing is bang on... it feels as though it were written by Kenneth Grahame. Same vocabulary, same tempo, same relations between the inhabitants around the river; Badger, Rat, Mole, Otter and Toad, along with a couple newer characters. Along with illustrations that are in perfect harmony with the original. It brought back memories and that was fun.
Sacre' Bleu by Christopher Moore - 19th Century Paris and its vibrant art scene with all of the characters that you would hope to run into, from Toulouse-Lautrec to Monet, Renoir, Monet, Goya, Whistler and more. A fun story of the Sacred Bleu that tied them all together. Jumping forward and backwards, from art movement to cave paintings, it is an interesting and fun look at art and artists.
Gutenberg's Apprentice by Alix Christie - Great Book. After some subsequent research, the novel is very true to the facts and the man and his apprentice.
The Archer's Tale by Bernard Cornwall - I very much appreciate the writing of Cornwall as he can handle different eras, different characters and a wide variety of themes with equal excellence. This novel takes us to the England/France conflicts leading up to the 100 years war. What a ghastly and gruesome time with a very non-romanticized very of kings, princes, knights and commoners... and especially archers, who are credited with many successes by the British up to the Revolutionary War era.
Blue Ridge by TR Pearson - first I've seen from this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Simultaneous stories with seemingly no connection whatsoever, police stories in NYC and rural south that are each well done. It isn't until the last 3 pages that it comes clear what the connection is. It is a very good book and I wouldn't hesitate in recommending it.
Victus by Albert Sanchez Pinol - All you would ever want to know about siege warfare. This is the story of engineers and their involvement in construction or destruction of fortified cities, to include Barcelona. The novel is replete with actual historical individuals, from engineers to Kings (I always enjoy looking these folks up and reading the non-fiction versions). The time was early 18th century with the siege of Barcelona (an 18month siege that very nearly destroyed the city from within. Ultimately the forces of the two kings, France and England, overran and turned the city into shambles. Brutal, brutal stuff. Well written and very enjoyable.
The Painted Kiss by Elizabeth Hickey - a very nice book on the painter Gustav Klimt and his muse, Emilie Floge.. A true and believable story of their time in Austria with insight into families, art, contemporary artists, fashion and the interaction of the libertine painter and the stoic Emilie.
Echo Burning by Lee Child - another Jack Reacher novel... I'm hooked. Fun as always.
Gone Tomorrow by Lee Child - another Jack Reacher novel... I'm hooked. This one is based in NYC where Reacher takes on NYPD, CIA, FBI, and Afghani terrorists. Fun as always.
A Hero of France by Alan Furst - Paris at the beginnings of the French Resistance. Well written, well paced, good characters,, good story and significant historical content. All told, a very good book and I will look for more by Furst.
The Cobra by Frederick Forsyth - Nice premise of an aggressive approach to shutting down the cocaine industry. Almost seems possible as described. A couple interesting characters and descriptions of tactics, etc.
The Tournament by Matthew Reilly - what could be better than chess and an imaginative historical fiction novel and Istanbul... stressing the fiction. While much historical fiction very accurately portrays the people, era, circumstances, activity with keen authenticity, this one was just fun. A young Queen Elizabeth (Bess at 13yrs old and at the time third in line of succession) on a journey to a world chess championship hosted by the Sultan. Adventure ensues and the book does well in representing many of the characters; her teacher Mr. Ashlem, the King, the Sultan, the prince, and more.
An Unpardonable Crime by Andrew Taylor - nice period piece... students, teachers, bastards, businessmen, murder, redemption, class warfare, and more. Happy to recommend it.
True Believer by Jack Carr - not an unusual style of action of veteran pulled back into action resulting in tremendous success and accomplishments. A good first novel by this author.
One Good Deed by David Baldacci - a different time, place and character than I've seen in Baldacci's novels. This one had Aloysius Archer as a WWII vet working his way through parole after a stint in prison. A couple good female characters to go along with Archer. Some insight into post-war mindset.
Wayfaring Stranger by James Lee Burke - I've enjoyed several of his contemporary novels... this one goes back to WWII and the survival of a relationships made under extraordinary circumstances. A good look at war and at business. Very enjoyable.
!Carumba! by Nina Maria Martinez - a really fun book seeped in Mexican American culture and two vivacious young women that have a lust for life. Great mix of English and Mexican dialogs and insight into a very fun population in Lava Landing. Difficult to explain but very enjoyable.
Chasing Cezanne by Peter Mayle - traipsing through New York and Paris and parts in between, a fun story of a photographer as he chases down an art forgery scam. Fine context, good foods, nice settings and a few unbelievable characters... nevertheless fun. Quick and easy read.
The Night Ranger by Alex Berenson - a decent story sited in a new (for me) location, Kenia & Somalia. Story a bit far fetched with a hero that simply could do anything. The story took several tangents that were never resolved and I found that curious and frustrating.
King Maybe by Timothy Hallinan - cat-burglar gets in over his head and chases resolution through an interesting collection of characters.
Lionel Asbo by Martin Amis - when a fellow changes his name to Asbo (Anti-Social Behavior Order), which is a real thing in England, you know it means trouble. This follows Asbo and his ward, Desmpmd Pepperdine, through the shocking changes that develop when a street thug and all-around menace wins a lottery of 140,000,000 pounds. Quite a change as he tries to fit into a higher class of citizen.
Small Vices by Robert Parker - story of tough guy/private eye/ and all-around good guy Spenser as he tracks down a coverup of a college coed passed off on a black guy that belonged in jail... just not for this crime. Good characters and good story
The Last Ember by Daniel Levin - a well-paced story involving Roman scholarship and the trade in antiquities. Likeable character chasing through the courts and the Colliseum.
A Traveler at the Gates of Wisdom by John Boyne - unlike any other novel I've read... a traveling along a timeline with inexplicable links to characters around the world. Physical, familial, names, relationships and on and on. A very enjoyable ride.
The Empty Throne by Bernard Cornwell - one of my favorite authors because of his in-depth research and settings. This one made difficult by the old English/Saxon names and places... needs a linguist.
Flabbergasted by Ray Blackstone - a trip to the Carolinas and view on Christian fellowship and a casual observer.
Valley Forge by Newt Gingrich - detailed and eye-opening account of Washington's troops as they shelter in Valley Forge and, against all odds, ford the river to assault Philadelphia. Solid historical account of a truly remarkable time that I can't even begin to imagine.
The Grand Babylon Hotel by Arnold Bennett - another fun read by this author - a wealthy American jumps blindly into the purchase of a truly grand hotel, full of intrigue amongst the staff and guests.
The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd - I liked her writing style and general storyline but the characters' approach to investigation and discovery was borderline absurd.
The Wolves by Alex Berenson - his character John Wells working his way through a preposterous series of super-spy action. I like his writing but this wasn't his best.
The Abstinence Teacher by Tom Perrotti - very strange book that was over long and overcomplicated. Story of a recovering alcoholic working his way through sobriety through Christ. Some interesting challenges for him and the Abstinence Teacher that has her own troubles with the Christian right trying to impose a policy ill-suited to current mores.
Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra - published in two parts, I read part I. A founding work of Western literature, it is considered one of the greatest works ever written. The adventures of a member of the very lowest nobility, who reads so many chivalric romances that he either loses or pretends to have lost his mind in order to become a knight-errant to revive chivalry and serve his nation, under the name Don Quixote de la Mancha. He recruits Sancho Panza as his squire.
The Ghost War by Alex Berensen - a pleasant spy novel rolling in elements from the Middle East and Far East. First time with this author but I'll try a couple more.
The Last Voyage of Somebody the Sailor by John Barth - simultaneous stories from early twentieth century and the time of Sinbad. Very entertaining, though I enjoyed the 'current' storyline more than that from Sinbad. I've read other Sinbad-centered novels and they have all been pleasant... it is an interesting
Seeing by Jose Saramago - One of the most difficult books I've ever read... sentences can run the entire length of the page and paragraphs over several pages. But I loved the story of a population that decides to vote, almost entirely, by submitting blank ballots. Well that causes no end of trial and tribulation with investigations, spying, political turmoil, curfews and more. Good book but hard to get through.
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne - again I roll back into a novel from my high-school reading list... better than I remember it being.
The Pretty Lady by Arnold Bennett - an unusual novel of England in the turmoil of the Great War with a beautiful, high-end prostitute (Christine, a French refugee, and a wealthy middle-aged gentleman, GJ Hoape, who struggles with his inability to be of service to war work. All told, a good read.
The Tragedy of the Korosko by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - not your typical Sir Arthur and no mention whatsoever of Holmes or Watson. The story of a fateful cruise up the Nile and the very nasty path the folks took when they ventured off the boat... desserts and dervishes.
An Unpardonable Sin by Andrew Taylor - Interesting story of life in the 19th century London schools system... class struggles, tutor
The Emperor's Tomb by Steve Berry - another Cotton Malone adventure in the lowlands and China. Interesting info on China's culture and development but the story line was soft. Should be my last Berry
The Lost City of the Monkey God by Douglas Preston - Tried this non-fiction piece because I've enjoyed some of the novels that he co-wrote with Child. it's a well-documented account of his trip to the Mosquitito rain forests of South America. Quite the adventure... the kind of trip I would have enjoyed,
The Book of M by Peng Shepherd - very curious book wherein civilization is turned upside down by the curious condition of peoples loss of their shadow. Almost made it to the end so I've included here. Would not recommend it... straight to Goodwill.
Stripped by Brian Freeman - Las Vegas police detective novel that soon began to present a woke agenda... hate it when that happens.
A Horse Walks Into a Bar by David Grossman - a very strange story of an aging Israeli stand up comedian told through his performance, drawing stories from his youth as he interacts with the audience. Painful to witness.