2011 Reading Log
- Thread starter WhatsHisNuts
- Start date
3 more to review since last checking in...........
1) Portobello" by Ruth Rendell.
Rendell has won many awards in the mystery genre, but this book was dreadful. It was not a mystery at all, but rather described how the lives of 4-5 people intersected in a London, England suburb. Was not my cup of tea.
1/5
2) "Stripped" by Brian Freeman.
One of his earlier works. I have not had a Freeman novel I have not liked. This one was set in Vegas where Freeman's detective Stroud investigates a series of seemingly unrelated murders. As always with Freeman, the suspects are many and the suspense is great.
4/5
3) "Secrets to the Grave" by Tami Hoag.
This is the 2nd in her micro-series set in the early 1980's when DNA and criminal profiling were in their infancy. And it was very good. Same characters as "Deeper Than The Dead", this novel opens up with a gruesome scene of a mother brutally murdered and her 4 year old daughter has called for help. A very well written who-dunit.
4/5
Have now started another Jeffery Deaver........."Mistress of Justice" ........and after that will be reading the brand new Chelsea Cain ""The Night Season" that just came out March 1st.
Yo, dunclock...............have you picked up the new JT Ellison yet?......."So Close the Hand of Death"....the 6th in her series..........I'm gonna grab it this weekend.
Happy Reading !
Tiger
1) Portobello" by Ruth Rendell.
Rendell has won many awards in the mystery genre, but this book was dreadful. It was not a mystery at all, but rather described how the lives of 4-5 people intersected in a London, England suburb. Was not my cup of tea.
1/5
2) "Stripped" by Brian Freeman.
One of his earlier works. I have not had a Freeman novel I have not liked. This one was set in Vegas where Freeman's detective Stroud investigates a series of seemingly unrelated murders. As always with Freeman, the suspects are many and the suspense is great.
4/5
3) "Secrets to the Grave" by Tami Hoag.
This is the 2nd in her micro-series set in the early 1980's when DNA and criminal profiling were in their infancy. And it was very good. Same characters as "Deeper Than The Dead", this novel opens up with a gruesome scene of a mother brutally murdered and her 4 year old daughter has called for help. A very well written who-dunit.
4/5
Have now started another Jeffery Deaver........."Mistress of Justice" ........and after that will be reading the brand new Chelsea Cain ""The Night Season" that just came out March 1st.
Yo, dunclock...............have you picked up the new JT Ellison yet?......."So Close the Hand of Death"....the 6th in her series..........I'm gonna grab it this weekend.
Happy Reading !
Tiger
hey Tiger, I am about 2/3 of the way thru JT's first book and have the entire series except for the one just came out. She is talking it up pretty good and doing a lot of appearances/signings now according to her Facebook...if you are on FB, shoot her a friend request and tell her what you think, she is very nice. Did you see post 78 above where I pasted her response on your latest review of her book that I sent her? Happy reading....
Tiger, JT JUST posted this on FB:
J.T. Ellison
OMG! So Close will be featured on the Fox News show Red Eye tonight! TV's Andy Levy is in the book and giving a shout out! I am thrilled. Y'all watch!
J.T. Ellison
OMG! So Close will be featured on the Fox News show Red Eye tonight! TV's Andy Levy is in the book and giving a shout out! I am thrilled. Y'all watch!
J, are you friends/like with Nashville Public Library on FB? They tweeted today they now have 4000 ebooks and growing!
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18) ***** Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman, Jon Krakauer
Sad, informative, and fascinating. Highly recommend.
19) *** Under the Banner of Heaven, Jon Krakauer
Mormons are quite interesting, and honestly disturbing. My critique of the book is that it is about 200 pages too long and presents a very one-sided view of the "saints".
20) **** The Girl who kicked the Hornet's Nest, Stieg Larsson
Again, maybe 100 pages too long, but wrapped up the series nicely, and I wish there were more by Larsson to read!
Sad, informative, and fascinating. Highly recommend.
19) *** Under the Banner of Heaven, Jon Krakauer
Mormons are quite interesting, and honestly disturbing. My critique of the book is that it is about 200 pages too long and presents a very one-sided view of the "saints".
20) **** The Girl who kicked the Hornet's Nest, Stieg Larsson
Again, maybe 100 pages too long, but wrapped up the series nicely, and I wish there were more by Larsson to read!
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Am now. thanks for the tip!
Finished Poke the Box by Seth Godin
Great motivator; short read; only available in Kindle-style delivery
Can't decide what to read next
Something Nuts would be interested in?
Something Nuts would be interested in?
The Human Powered Home
Choosing Muscles over Motors
Tamara Dean
I just started this book, so no review
Just in Case
How to be self-suficient when the unexpected happens.
Kathy Harrison
Reading both of these at the same time
Something Nuts would be interested in?
The Human Powered Home
Choosing Muscles over Motors
Tamara Dean
I just started this book, so no review
Just in Case
How to be self-suficient when the unexpected happens.
Kathy Harrison
Reading both of these at the same time
The Hunger Games Trilogy 1966 by Cindy S.
A cross between the girl who licked the dragon and the twilight saga...
We shall see
A cross between the girl who licked the dragon and the twilight saga...
We shall see
Catching Fire Part Two
Mockingjay Part Three
I read the complete trilogy this week. Its a young adult novel but...
Basic premise, revolution leads to Running Man style fight to death with each of 12 district competing. Triangle love story, rebellion, bring down the Capital, and in the perspective of one girl who changes the world.
Very sadistic and a lot of death.
It'll be a movie by 2015.
I liked it as a concept.
7/10 for fun fictional read
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21) ***** The Human Stain, Philip Roth
His books are pretty dense with subject matter, and take awhile to read, but I really enjoy the deeper messages he portrays.
22) ***** The 19th Wife, David Ebershoff
I wish I had just read this book instead of "Under the Banner of Heaven". Again, about the Mormons and really fascinating. He interweaves history with a fictional story and it really keeps the book flowing quickly.
23) ***** Strength in What Remains, Tracy Kidder
This is a "great" book that really reminds me of the privilege that I have as an American. I lived in Africa for a period of time, but it is good to be reminded of the inhumanity that many people face, both in genocide and on a daily basis because of poverty.
His books are pretty dense with subject matter, and take awhile to read, but I really enjoy the deeper messages he portrays.
22) ***** The 19th Wife, David Ebershoff
I wish I had just read this book instead of "Under the Banner of Heaven". Again, about the Mormons and really fascinating. He interweaves history with a fictional story and it really keeps the book flowing quickly.
23) ***** Strength in What Remains, Tracy Kidder
This is a "great" book that really reminds me of the privilege that I have as an American. I lived in Africa for a period of time, but it is good to be reminded of the inhumanity that many people face, both in genocide and on a daily basis because of poverty.
Since last checking in, have read the following crime/drama/thriller novels.................
1) "Mistress of Justice" by Jeffery Deaver
I am a big Deaver fan, but this one was just OK with me. Someone is creating shit at a law office, and the book keeps you guessing which of the many shady characters it is.
3/5
2)"The Night Season" by Chelsea Cain
I waited 18 months for the next book from Cain and was not disappointed when this came out the first week of March. Portland detective Archie Sheridan investigates some mysterious murders that appear linked to the very real flood of 1948 in Vanport, Oregon. Her 4th book and her 4th outstanding mystery.
4.5/5
3)"Intensity" by Dean Koontz
My second Koontz novel.................I didn't like the first one at all (Relentless) but this book is listed on the top 100 thrillers of all time, so I thought I would give him another try. It was better than Relentless, but is still fell short in my book. It's a story about a very scary killer who ends up with an extra potential victim in his grasp. It was a little long in the tooth.............example............one scene where a girl had to escape from chains in the killers house took over 30 pages..........it will be my last Koontz for a while.
3.5/5
4)"Long Lost" by Harlan Coben
This is the 9th in his series about super-agent Myron Bolitar. I wrote in here last time about how this series had kinda dried up before the 8th book, but how that book had rejuvenated things. This 9th book was a giant step backwards in my opinion. Slow moving novel about terrorism. I was disappointed. The 10th Bolitar novel is now on the shelves.........."Live Wire" ............but after reading this one, I am not in any hurry to pick it up.
3/5
5) "The Lock Artist" by Steve Hamilton
Many reviews placed this book as one of the top 2-3 thrillers of 2010. It was good, maybe even very good, but was short of my top 5 list. A young man who never speaks, due to an earlier major trauma, learns that he has a unique knack to open any kind of lock. This skill gets him mixed up with some very unsavoury characters. Was very good in spots, but I felt it fell short at the end...............maybe the scouting report had me wanting more?
3.5/5
6) "Turning Angel" by Greg Iles.
Brilliant !
My 2nd Iles book, and it was exceptional. Lawyer/writer Penn Cage investigates a murder of a 17 year old high school student in Natchez, Mississippi. Touches on some "taboo" subjects.....as Iles has been known to do.........and was a great (long......640 pages).....read.
4.5/5
Side note: After finishing this Greg Iles novel, I found out that the author had been in a major car accident in his home town of Natchez about 3 weeks ago. He almost died, but has recovered, but did lose a leg.
Am now reading "Bloodline" by Mark Billingham, and on deck is the brand new Michael Connelly novel, "The Fifth Witness".
Happy Reading !
Tiger
1) "Mistress of Justice" by Jeffery Deaver
I am a big Deaver fan, but this one was just OK with me. Someone is creating shit at a law office, and the book keeps you guessing which of the many shady characters it is.
3/5
2)"The Night Season" by Chelsea Cain
I waited 18 months for the next book from Cain and was not disappointed when this came out the first week of March. Portland detective Archie Sheridan investigates some mysterious murders that appear linked to the very real flood of 1948 in Vanport, Oregon. Her 4th book and her 4th outstanding mystery.
4.5/5
3)"Intensity" by Dean Koontz
My second Koontz novel.................I didn't like the first one at all (Relentless) but this book is listed on the top 100 thrillers of all time, so I thought I would give him another try. It was better than Relentless, but is still fell short in my book. It's a story about a very scary killer who ends up with an extra potential victim in his grasp. It was a little long in the tooth.............example............one scene where a girl had to escape from chains in the killers house took over 30 pages..........it will be my last Koontz for a while.
3.5/5
4)"Long Lost" by Harlan Coben
This is the 9th in his series about super-agent Myron Bolitar. I wrote in here last time about how this series had kinda dried up before the 8th book, but how that book had rejuvenated things. This 9th book was a giant step backwards in my opinion. Slow moving novel about terrorism. I was disappointed. The 10th Bolitar novel is now on the shelves.........."Live Wire" ............but after reading this one, I am not in any hurry to pick it up.
3/5
5) "The Lock Artist" by Steve Hamilton
Many reviews placed this book as one of the top 2-3 thrillers of 2010. It was good, maybe even very good, but was short of my top 5 list. A young man who never speaks, due to an earlier major trauma, learns that he has a unique knack to open any kind of lock. This skill gets him mixed up with some very unsavoury characters. Was very good in spots, but I felt it fell short at the end...............maybe the scouting report had me wanting more?
3.5/5
6) "Turning Angel" by Greg Iles.
Brilliant !
My 2nd Iles book, and it was exceptional. Lawyer/writer Penn Cage investigates a murder of a 17 year old high school student in Natchez, Mississippi. Touches on some "taboo" subjects.....as Iles has been known to do.........and was a great (long......640 pages).....read.
4.5/5
Side note: After finishing this Greg Iles novel, I found out that the author had been in a major car accident in his home town of Natchez about 3 weeks ago. He almost died, but has recovered, but did lose a leg.
Am now reading "Bloodline" by Mark Billingham, and on deck is the brand new Michael Connelly novel, "The Fifth Witness".
Happy Reading !
Tiger
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- Mar 2, 2006
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24 & 25) ***** The Camel Club (Camel Club, #1) and The Collectors (Camel Club, #2), David Baldacci
Great books. Currently have a hold at library for books 3 and 4, and book 5 just came out. Gripping, fast moving, and filled with conspiracies
26) **** The Omnivore's Dilemma, Michael Pollan
Great book, should be required reading for everyone. The only reason I give it 4 stars is because I already "knew" a lot of the information given.
27) ** A Lucky Child: A Memoir of Surviving Auschwitz as a Young Boy, Thomas Buergenthal
I don't know...I just found it very unemotional and removed. I guess if I read about a tragedy like this, I want it to really touch me, and for some reason I found his perspective quite cold.
I am over halfway to my 50 book goal for the year. I have to say, the "Nook" is the best purchase I have ever made!!
Great books. Currently have a hold at library for books 3 and 4, and book 5 just came out. Gripping, fast moving, and filled with conspiracies
26) **** The Omnivore's Dilemma, Michael Pollan
Great book, should be required reading for everyone. The only reason I give it 4 stars is because I already "knew" a lot of the information given.
27) ** A Lucky Child: A Memoir of Surviving Auschwitz as a Young Boy, Thomas Buergenthal
I don't know...I just found it very unemotional and removed. I guess if I read about a tragedy like this, I want it to really touch me, and for some reason I found his perspective quite cold.
I am over halfway to my 50 book goal for the year. I have to say, the "Nook" is the best purchase I have ever made!!
Camel Club series is awesome :0074
read all of Baldacci
and you are welcome on the Nook over the Kindle :0008
read all of Baldacci
and you are welcome on the Nook over the Kindle :0008
1) "Bloodline" by Mark Billingham.
My first novel from this British thriller author and it was very good. A serial killer murdered 7 women fifteen years ago, was ultimately caught, and died in prison a few years later. Now, the children of those first victims are being murdered. Detective Tom Thorne has a macabre jigsaw puzzle to put together, where nothing is as it seems.
I have found that not all English authors are easy to read, but this book had a nice pace, excellent plot-line and I will definitely read Billingham again.
4/5
2) "The Fifth Witness" by Michael Connelly.
Connelly currently has a movie in theaters called "The Lincoln Lawyer" which is based on one of his previous books. This book picks up the same main character.............defence attorney Mickey Haller............a few years later, and it was outstanding !
Haller defends someone accused of murder, and as always, pulls out all the stops to try and get them off.....innocence and guilt play no part of this for him. I have read all of Connelly's novels that involve the Haller character, and that is one reason why I loved this book so much........it revolved around the growth of the man and his morals and ethics of defending scum for a living.
A rare perfect rating in my opinion.
5/5
Am now reading the 4th in the JT Ellison series about Nashville detective Taylor Jackson..........."Judas Kiss" ............and I am enjoying it a lot. She is a great writer.
Went to my local library yesterday for a used book sale and came away with 13 used novels for a total of $9............WOW !
All were from my favourite authors..........
2 from Michael Connelly
4 from Scott Turow
1........Mark Billingham
1........Greg Iles
1.......Tami Hoag
1.......John Grisham
1.......Walter Mosley
1.......Brian Freeman
1.......Lisa Jackson
My to-be-read book shelf is now full again !
Happy Reading !
Tiger
My first novel from this British thriller author and it was very good. A serial killer murdered 7 women fifteen years ago, was ultimately caught, and died in prison a few years later. Now, the children of those first victims are being murdered. Detective Tom Thorne has a macabre jigsaw puzzle to put together, where nothing is as it seems.
I have found that not all English authors are easy to read, but this book had a nice pace, excellent plot-line and I will definitely read Billingham again.
4/5
2) "The Fifth Witness" by Michael Connelly.
Connelly currently has a movie in theaters called "The Lincoln Lawyer" which is based on one of his previous books. This book picks up the same main character.............defence attorney Mickey Haller............a few years later, and it was outstanding !
Haller defends someone accused of murder, and as always, pulls out all the stops to try and get them off.....innocence and guilt play no part of this for him. I have read all of Connelly's novels that involve the Haller character, and that is one reason why I loved this book so much........it revolved around the growth of the man and his morals and ethics of defending scum for a living.
A rare perfect rating in my opinion.
5/5
Am now reading the 4th in the JT Ellison series about Nashville detective Taylor Jackson..........."Judas Kiss" ............and I am enjoying it a lot. She is a great writer.
Went to my local library yesterday for a used book sale and came away with 13 used novels for a total of $9............WOW !
All were from my favourite authors..........
2 from Michael Connelly
4 from Scott Turow
1........Mark Billingham
1........Greg Iles
1.......Tami Hoag
1.......John Grisham
1.......Walter Mosley
1.......Brian Freeman
1.......Lisa Jackson
My to-be-read book shelf is now full again !
Happy Reading !
Tiger
thanks for using and supporting your local library Tiger... one of America's BEST resources and amazes me how very few people utilize it... they have provided me a paycheck now for 20 years :0074
I also just picked up Judas Kiss at the library on Thursday and havent started yet ... I am going to send your comment to JT on FB .... she is really cool and replies to almost all comments
trying to finish Harlan Coben "Caught" ... he always been one of my fav authors
I also just picked up Judas Kiss at the library on Thursday and havent started yet ... I am going to send your comment to JT on FB .... she is really cool and replies to almost all comments
trying to finish Harlan Coben "Caught" ... he always been one of my fav authors
Hey Dunny..............I love Harlan Coben as well.........although I thought "Caught" was not amongst his strongest works. Was a good novel, but not a great novel. My favourite Coben remains "The Woods".
I finished "Judas Kiss" by JT Ellison over the weekend, and liked it. It starts with a woman's brutal murder, and Nashville detective Taylor Jackson and her team investigate a whole pile of suspicious characters. Their investigation reveals a seedy side of amateur porn, vengeance and betrayal. The only thing (and my first criticism of Ellison) is that, maybe, the title of the book should have been different, as it actually was THE key clue in this mystery.
3.5/5
Am now reading "A Little Yellow Dog" by Walter Mosley. This is my first Mosley, although I have been wanting to read him for a while now. Stay tuned...............
Happy Reading !
Tiger
I finished "Judas Kiss" by JT Ellison over the weekend, and liked it. It starts with a woman's brutal murder, and Nashville detective Taylor Jackson and her team investigate a whole pile of suspicious characters. Their investigation reveals a seedy side of amateur porn, vengeance and betrayal. The only thing (and my first criticism of Ellison) is that, maybe, the title of the book should have been different, as it actually was THE key clue in this mystery.
3.5/5
Am now reading "A Little Yellow Dog" by Walter Mosley. This is my first Mosley, although I have been wanting to read him for a while now. Stay tuned...............
Happy Reading !
Tiger
Retired in Dec 2010, started reading again . Promised myself that I would not watch any daytime TV ( except sports ) & set aside 2-3 hrs. a day reading . I also got a library card, it has been over 30 yrs, gone through 15-20 books from Huck Finn to Michael Connelly. Just got into this Amos Walker ( detective ) series by Loren Estleman takes place in Detroit. Been following some of the recommendations from you guys, keep it up. Thanks !
