On Target--#25 finished

This is the 2nd Gray Man novel, a discredited CIA operative that has gone free lance.  First book was pretty good what I remember and this was a good 2nd book.  I have the 3rd and a 4th coming out later this year.  The book tries at times to make him human like but he is also very lucky and very amazingly efficient.  It is a spy book so suspend some of your reality and just sort of enjoy it and I did.  The book did take a couple of twists that were interesting and I am sure have setup the next books as well.

I will be posting it on PBS probably in the next few weeks, although I may read that 3rd book & see if I can't send them out together too.  I am still reading The Lady of the Rivers and the Viginettes of Sub-Saharan Africa and have also started a beaten up copy of Skeleton Crew, a short story Stephen King book from back in the 1980's.  I needed to take a book along outside where I wouldn't worry if it got a little beaten up or even rained on and since this copy is in rough shape already--it qualified.  I am kind of treating it as a kind of side book right now, so might be adding another into the mix, but haven't checked or decided yet.

By the way I am glad to get to 25 in the 5th month, would like to keep up that pace and have 60 for the year.  I don't know if I can do that, seem to be busy with other stuff but will try.

Miss Morissa--#24 finished

Mari Sandoz is a NE writer that I have several of her books but had only read one previously, her book on her father Old Jules, which is one of my favorites.  I finally read another book by her--this one, Miss Morissa about a lady doctor in the 1880s or around there that moved to the North Platte region of NE.  She grew up with a mom that struggled and basically in an orphanage, her father gone and was known as a bastard as a kid.  Her mom did remarry and she kind of escaped that life with her step-father.  After becoming a doctor was in Omaha and dating and engaged to an upper class man & family when they found out her questionable upbringing.  She fled this & moved to the then wild of western NE.

The story is about her and probably as much about the region and the growth it experienced in those years.  The Black Hills gold rush was going on, there were outlaw troubles, Indian issues and troubles, the rough weather, cowboy/cattleman vs homestead men problems as well as just plain old tough life.  The writing and characters are very good.  The changes that happen both in the characters and over time in the region all happen but are almost not noticed because it is just a gradual part of the story.  I really liked this book and it has added to my appreciation of this author.

I will not be posting this book, this stays as a keeper.  I am currently reading On Target and The Lady of the Rivers and just started Never Give Up, vignettes from Sub-Saharan Africa in the time of AIDS.  Not sure yet if I will be starting a 4th book or not right now.

At the Stroke of Madness--#23 finished

This was the next in line of the Maggie O'Dell books, good reading in general.  Some plot twists and good characters overall a good read.  I think this is the 4th book and she is up to either 9 or 10 so far and still going I think.  Series books for me are usually tough because I don't like reading them back to back to back and since I collect them sporadically I need to find some to fill in blanks.  I got started on this Alex Kava series because she is from NE and her first book happened in Lincoln, NE.  Series has been good so far, not great but a good page turner.

I am still reading Miss Morissa the Mari Sandoz book and just started The Lady of the Rivers.  I will probably look to start a 3rd book later today too.

The Mid-Life Crisis Book--#22 finished

I hesitate to even call this a book.  It is really just one or two line quips per page.  Mildly funny and not really creative.  It is a published book and all but I suspect it is a self published book.  Still better than anything I have done but again I kind of hesitate putting it into my books read list.  I did though because I did read through it and I also got it from PBS and back to PBS I have posted it.  I am not sure it will ever move and it if does I will probably feel a little guilty for whoever orders it.

I have posted it on PBS and it is the only copy in the system so it might just go.  It is at least autographed and is kind of funny--"To my favorite dental office! Jim Hellrood".  I guess it was a waiting room book that eventually got pulled.

Don't Stand too Close to a Naked Guy--#21 finished

This is a book by Tim Allen back from his Home Improvement days.  Talks about his life and thoughts and stuff.  It is okay but there were times when not sure if he was trying to be funny or not--his humor doesn't come through clearly here.  I didn't expect much & it really wasn't much of a book either.  Just a nice read during filler time.  Easy to grab and read for 2-5 minute stints which is what I have needed lately.

I have already posted it on PBS but there are like 280 other copies on the system so it is going no where.  Since I haven't been putting too many books on my PBS bookshelf lately, I will probably let it sit for a while.

Throw like a Girl--#20 finished

I am very impressed with these short stories, memorable characters of people in mostly tough life stuff.  A really good book, I will certainly be searching out other books by the author Jean Thompson.  The stories were gripping but it was beyond that simple paragraphs or sentences in the stories carried so much weight into character development--each story had those powerful moments when you realized this is just some damn good writing.  I am interested to find out how or if the author could translate her writing to a novel setting--I know she has written a couple so I will have to be looking them up.

Very good book and it has become one of my keepers now.  In fact, I had posted it on PBS but I will be unposting it right after this.  I might have to offer it up to a buddy at work that writes, he might enjoy it or not.

I am still reading Miss Morissa and At the Stroke of Madness and the Tim Allen book Don't Stand too close to the Naked Guy.  Not sure if I will add a 4th tonight or not.