Monday, December 31, 2018

The Trials--#67 finished

My last finished book for the year, came in at 67 read so a good year.  I was reading out the George W Bush White House where they had a century club--reading 100 or more books in a year, this was in the Ben Sasse book.  Sounds like something to shoot for but don't see how unless really devote more time to reading & another 33 books would be a stretch.

On The Trials, this is the 2nd book in a 3 part series.  I do like this series so far because it is not really sci-fi because to me it seems in the not too far future, rather than way off in future.  Follows a military group with their leader Lt Shelly, that at end of first book, basically arrested a big very rich military industrial CEO/Owner and took her to another country to be tried for war crimes because of a conspiracy in the US that would cover this all up.  The army group had all be arrested and their trial is how the book started, they were found guilty but the president pardoned them but were thrown out of the military.  They are hired as a group by a special ops kind of mercenary group and more missions come off.  Is a good & interesting read, looking forward to the 3rd part.

There are 5 WL for this book so will get it mailed off through PBS sometime soon.

Saturday, December 22, 2018

Blacks at the Net--#66 finished

A lot of history about black individuals in tennis and the struggles they had to endure.  Book ends just as Venus & Serna Williams is coming into the scene.  More information and was able to interview & get quotes from players rather than stories.  I think it is good to read about these struggles as a reminder that even those at the top of the game still have to fight with racism and discrimination.

I have posted it on PBS, it is the only copy in system but since an older book with probably limited appeal not expecting it to move but you never know.

Winter's Bone--#65 finished

A powerful book about hill people families in the Ozark Mountains in SW Missouri.  Long time families that don't like outsiders and are now into the drug trade.  Ree sounds like she is around 19 in age, not sure if they mentioned her age or not, and since her father has jumped bail, she is holding together her family.  She has 2 younger brothers around 9 & 10 and her mother has basically checked out of reality and just sits in a rocker most of the day.  Ree is trying to teach her brothers enough to survive on their own taking care of mom as well as trying to track down their father.  This puts her into conflict with another hill family and she takes a beating.  Ree is a great and memorable character in this book.  A really very good book, it is going on my keeper shelf and makes me wish I had kept this author's other book that I had sent off earlier.

There is 1 WL for it but it is a keeper at this point.

Friday, December 14, 2018

The Kindness of Strangers--#64 finished

The rest of the title is, Penniless Across America.  The author Mike McIntyre is a journalist that has traveled the world doing stories but wanted to try something different.  He lives in San Francisco and decides to go from there across America without any money.  Basically hitchhiking and depending on help from people along the way.  Some really interesting people and stories, some people and happenings almost seem a little too much to be true but I hope the journalistic ethics of this came through.  I am sure this was eye opening for him in lots of ways and it does come across in the book.  It was a struggle at times and overall surprising with the people he meets and helped him along the way.  Just seems like he really hit some down on the luck people but they were still willing to help out--or at least that type maybe became the type he wrote about and more normal people not much mentioning.  An interesting read.

There was 1 WL for it and I have already posted it & is accepted on PBS.  I hope to mail it out tomorrow with a couple other books, hopefully lines not too long at post office.

Sunday, December 9, 2018

Red Alert--#63 finished

This is the next in the James Patterson & Marshall Karp NYPD Red series.  Not a great series but is fast action paced so is a quick & easy read.  The NYPE Red is a few police officers setup to handle crimes/issues of the rich and famous in NY.  I have no idea if this really exists or not, probably does on some level even if not official.  Had a few things going on here and with all the moving pieces made a nice story.  Just a quick action read, nothing really special.

There are 111 WL for this book in PBS so it will get mailed off sometime probably sooner so I can get my credit for it.

Finishing Touches--#62 finished

A chic-lit kind of book but maybe not so light and cheerful.  A group of 3 girlfriends with a couple guys are the main characters at the beginning and the one girl, engaged to one of the guys, is in a horrible accident and after a few weeks in the hospital suddenly dies.  This rattles the whole group.  The main character Jesse after a few months starts dating the now widow(they were married in the hospital before she passed).  The already strained friendships basically go out the door.  Then after a few months Jesse and boyfriend aren't getting along.  Throw in Jesse not happy with job and life, so she is forced to grow up and break out of her comfort zone in a few ways.  Ending is not the perfect ending but still is a good ending that sees the friends relationships are different but still good.  I enjoyed it, good read.

I have posted it on PBS, it is the only hardback copy in system now so hope it will move at some point.

Friday, November 30, 2018

The Picasso Flop--#61 finished

Vince Van Patten an announcer on the World Poker Tour, wrote a book and a mystery at a poker tour event and threw around a bunch of poker player names and casino names.  Was a quick and easy read, nothing too complicated or anything about this book.  Not that good and not that bad either, just sort of light reading entertainment.

I will post it back on PBS, there are no copies so it might move at some point.

About Schmidt--#60 finished

This book has been on my shelf for a long time.   I remember enjoying the movie with Jack Nicholson, it was filmed in Omaha which was also kind of neat to see too.  Took me a long time to get around to reading the book though and finding out Omaha had nothing to do with the book.  It is a New York and Hamptons location.  Still a good read, none of the characters are really good in all ways so they seem more down to earth even in their upper crust lifestyle.  The twist at the end of the book is that Schmidt becomes even more monied inheriting money from his step-mother when she unexpectedly passes.  Makes me think about reading the 2nd book, just for that reason.

I haven't posted it, there are already a few copies in system, maybe 5 or so but since an older book doubt it would go anywhere.  Will just keep & see about that 2nd book.

Monday, November 26, 2018

Judge Fuchs and the Boston Braves--#59 finished

Judge Fuchs bought the Boston Braves in the early '20's and owned them into the mid '30s.  A colorful owner and person of a basically bad team.  He even became the manager of the team for one season.  He was the owner in a last ditch effort to make enough money to keep team, he brought over Babe Ruth from Yankees, who were looking to move on from Babe.  Unfortunately for Fuchs it didn't work out & he lost the team.  Still had a long history with baseball and Boston after that though.  The book itself was kind of put together with notes & things from memoirs that never got done.  Book is rough but still lots of information about baseball at the time in there.

There were no copies in system so I had posted it after finishing and it has already been requested so I will be mailing it off this week.

Origin--#58 finished

The next Robert Langdon book by Dan Brown.  It is kind of the same formula, Robert Langdon is thrown into something & he has to figure it out with a beautiful woman.  This time an internet genius and multi-billionaire is going public with something he says will change the world & religion.  Of course this guy is an atheist as well.  He is killed during this presentation and Langdon & the beautiful curator, that is also engaged to the Prince of Spain, have to use their wits & this guys super computer helper to find & play the rest of the presentation.  The first couple books were really pretty good, exciting action filled.  Now with the same formula it just seems forced together, not as much entertaining but still ok.

There are a lot of WL for this, maybe 160 something or more, I don't remember.  I will mail this off at some point but no hurry right now.

Stay--#57 finished

I had read a couple other books by this author with crazy titles and futuristic kind of out there stories. This one seems like he is trying to go more mainstream action adventure type story.  Story was ok and has a lot of action.  I think I preferred his other crazier books but I understand him wanting to expand on the number of people reading his books, this type story probably does that.  A put on break special forces guy has to protect his wife and family from brutal organized crime lord.

I will be posting this book at some point I think there were 8 WL for it last time I checked.

Saturday, November 17, 2018

The Painter--#56 finished

I had actually finished this book at end of October but just noticed now that I hadn't logged it in.  A really good read, this is 2nd book I have read by author and both were really good.  Really really different, first was after 99% of people in world died and main character was one of the remaining with a few others around.  This one is about a successful painter with issues and gets into a situation where he kills a guy, a bad guy but one with brothers that want his death avenged.  Also the local police are investigating and know but can't prove the painter was involved.  While all this going on he is still painting too, almost a way to work out he feelings.  Insightful stuff about painting and fly fishing, just a very good read.

There is a WL of 16 for the book so I will post it & mail off at some point.

Monday, November 12, 2018

The Vanishing American Adult--#55 finished

An interesting read about how children and young adults in some great numbers don't seem to be maturing into adulthood.  Ben Sasse is a Senator from Nebraska but is also a Phd in American History from Yale and before Senator was a university president at Midland University in Fremont, NE, near where I grew up.  His wife is also a long time public school teacher.  Ben is also 3 years younger than me, so this is not some old white guy telling kids to get off his lawn and is not blaming public school education for the evils.  He places the responsiblity for kids becoming adults on the parents and encourages them to help their kids.  He places big emphasis on reading, travel, learning independence at a young age, work experience and being around people of all ages--not just your same age peers in school.  He has brought up a lot of interesting thoughts and ideas, not sure how much play it is getting but lots of things to see and incorporate where possible.  I enjoyed this book because of the ideas, not always the easiest book to get through but worth it.

There are 46 WL for this book on PBS so I will mail it off at some point just to make sure the ideas do get passed along.

The Balfour Conspiracy--#54 finished

This is an older mass market paperback that I grabbed for a walking around book--take in my car in case have a few minutes to read kind of thing.  It was published in 1981 and was written in late '70s about Palestinian terrorists that steal plutonium being shipped over the ocean and the process of moving it to Germany--then West Germany to blow up Bonn when all the Western leaders are there.  Eventually find out the terrorist leader is actually from Taiwan and want to bring the US against mainland China.  An alright read and I guess an alright type of plot for the times, Carter was President and is mentioned the book too.  Also throw in the IRA helping out the Palestinians too--they didn't know it was plutonium and they were promised machine guns and ammo.  Lots of moving parts here but overall just a kind of ok story.  Really didn't like anyone involved in the whole thing.

There are a few copies in PBS so no reason to add another one since I can't imagine anyone ordering a copy of this book.  I will put it in my give away pile.

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Saint Philomena: The Wonder Worker--#53 finished

A book about St Philomena, first written in the 1920s and since reprinted I guess several times.  The book I have was printed in 1993.  This book was written before there were questions about this saint and still during when she was highly venerated because there being several miracles attributed to her. Since the '60s there has been questions about the remains and the stone tiles around her when she was found in the catacombs in Rome.  Because of information on the tiles when she was discovered they believed her to be a virgin martyr.  Her remains were found in 1802 and scholars at the time researched as best they could.  The pope at the time declared her a Saint and some relics were moved to a church in Naples where several miracles occurred as well as other churches in Europe.  The writing is from an earlier time and you can tell but still overall makes a good case for St Philomena.  With there still being some questions about her, there is still a devotion to her as well.  Certainly a Saint to pray to like many many Saints.

This will stay on my keeper shelf, never know if I want to re-visit this at another time.

Mislaid--#52 finished

A kind of weird and interesting read, at times funny along with just kind of making you think.  In the early '70s a lesbian goes off to a small town all women's college and meets a professor of old money that is a gay poet.  Well they hit it off and get married and have a couple of kids together but of course this wasn't meant to last.  She is kind of nuts and fears her husband's old money will have her committed and take the kids away.  She makes a break for it and has the youngest the girl but the boy doesn't seem to understand and stays with dad.  Goes on how she is able to stay hidden and raise her daughter--changing name and race.  Also talks about son and dad growing up.  Eventually both end up a same university and at a very bad time find each other.  Story is seemingly probable and also kind of absurd which makes it a good read.  Ending was a little off to me it seemed, just too much tying up loose ends but overall did not take away from a very good read.

There are 29 WL for it so no hurry at this point to post but will probably soon to move it on to another reader.

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

Breaking Creed--#51 finished

Alex Kava a NE author with a Maggie O'Dell series has started a new series that Maggie is also part of with a dog trainer Ryder Creed.  Creed's dogs search for different things, drugs, people, bodies, etc and are brought in to assist police or FBI.  This is first in the series but he was introduced in the other series.  Of course there are some sexual sparks between them too.  This one was about a serial killer doing the dirty work for a drug kingpin.  They were coming after Creed but they were able to stop them and then capture the kingpin that was also a DEA agent.  Good quick action read overall.

I have posted it on PBS & will be mailing it off in the next day or so.

Sunday, September 30, 2018

Money for Nothing--#50 finished

A guy that falls into a salesman job that is offering cashout payments to lottery winners.  Basically screwing over these people that were already making bad decisions about their money into giving them a lump sum to make even more bad decisions.  I didn't really like the book and I certainly didn't like any of the characters, unfortunately it is a true story.  Yuck.

I have posted it on PBS, there was 1 WL so I hope it gets accepted so I can send this one away.

Building a Bridge--#49 finished

The author James Martin SJ a Jesuit priest writes about the Catholic church and it's relationship with the LGBT community.  I thought a very good and insightful read that looks into the feelings on both sides.  He purposes avoids same sex marriage and sex out side of marriage in this because he says the divide is too great in those areas.  What I read in this book is not controversial to me but I know that the US bishops removed him as a speaker from an event and then was included as a speaker at a Vatican sponsored Family week or meeting where the Pope also came later to in Ireland.  This is the one that as it was concluding the former Papal Nuncio wrote his now infamous letter calling out Pope Francis.  Much speculation on this is the Pope being too liberal for most Catholic conservatives was a big reason for the letter.  I think the church has to answer/figure out the LBGT relationship in order to grow in acceptance of them and vis versa.  The old way of thinking just doesn't match anymore, in this & seemingly in a lot of ways of the church.  I just pray that Pope Francis can continue his work for many years still.

This is a keeper book and will probably be handed around to others that need to read it.

Sunday, September 23, 2018

Good News Bad News--#48 finished

A confusing book about two British spies/CIA types that because of screwed up paperwork are working the same location--a film developing store.  They do figure out they are both part of this organization when they also find out they are tasked to killing each other.  Gets confusing because this is being done as an inside job where a higher up that has been running ops is the one behind this. They team up & try to run but a person sent to get them seems to tail them through it all.  Eventually they escape to Canada where one has some money & contacts but gets confusing because it appears he dies but then doesn't but then tries to kill the other.  The other probably kills him & makes off with the money or so it seems at the end.  A little confusing yes but also didn't keep my interest enough to go back & try to sort out if it could be.  Oh well.

I have posted it on PBS, there are 4 copies ahead of it.  I am guessing it probably won't ever move but few enough copies to let it sit on my bookshelf for a while at least.

Getting in Tune--#47 finished

A book about an early '70's rock & roll band from Northern CA.  This is a fictional book but lots of talk and their play list was from the rock of then.  A good read overall about guys that were just out of high school trying to find their way.  They have played all the local dances & locations when they get a call to fill in at a hotel bar in WA & they agree to it.  Of course each band member has stresses in life and in band & it all comes out on the trip.  Nothing great here but still a good read overall.

I have posted it on PBS, it is the only copy so hope it will move at some point.

Sunday, September 16, 2018

Sad Bastard--#46 finished

I have had this book on my shelf for a bunch of years and never got around to reading it.  I guess there is a book before this one but figured I would read this one now anyway.  It is in Ireland and the main character is a policeman that is on disability, ran into a burning house to make a rescue and instead had to be rescued.  Sounds like a tough old school type but now has his life kind of falling apart around him.  Him & his wife are separated, he is drinking a lot, his son lives with him & he is kind of wasting his life and the police officer has to go to counseling in order to stay in disability.  Well bad things happen & some of it his own doing but he grows through the book.  Not a bad read but probably should have read the first book.  Oh well.

There is 1 WL for this book on PBS, that is why I figured I would read it so I could mail it off.  I have posted it &it is accepting so should be in the mail next week.

Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Searching for Fannie Quigley--#45 finished

A lady of the Klondike gold rush, she ended up in Alaska in the late 1890s and lived a tough life there in the wilderness.  She grew up in a large poor family in NE and believed to follow the trains west before going to Alaska.  This is a true history book in that the author has done & shows the research.  The subject is not well known now but in the early 1900s to 1940s she ended up in some magazine articles now & then.  After following the gold a couple times she settled near Mt McKinley and became a stopping point for people visiting the mountain.  Her hard life & hard way of living by a woman at the time was something that amazed the visitors.  A really good & interesting read.

I have already posted it on PBS, there was 1 WL so hopefully I can mail off later this week.

Saturday, September 8, 2018

Mistress of the Vatican--#44

A really interesting and good read about Olimpia Maidachini who was the widow sister in law of Pope Innocent X, elected in 1644.  She was nearly forced into a convent by her father but was able to marry into a wealthy family and after having a couple children, her husband died.  She had the inheritance but to keep it had to marry again and did so into a poor noble family.  She was very smart & intelligent about business and was able to increase their wealth.  Her husband again died but now she was setup to where she didn't have to marry and could keep the wealth.  Her brother in law was a smart priest but she helped get him his cardinal appointment and the from wheeling & dealing to be Pope.  The backdoor happenings and the ruthless stealing from the church was eye opening, I had heard that it happened but this book does a great job of really spelling out what was happening.  No wonder the Reformation happened.  Surprised the church has survived through this.  She then became the person people had to go through to get anything done through the Pope or the Vatican, she was the real power broker of the time.  A really good read.

I have had this book for a few years but just hadn't read it till now.  There are still WL for it so at some point I will post it & mail it on.

The Hill--#43 finished

A true story about a pilot that did flights around Mt McKinley in Alaska and how on one flight, he crashed & because of weather was stuck on mountain in freezing storm conditions.  There were 4 people on the plane including him, 2 died within the first day and him and another guy survived.  Their rescue came after 5 days.  He lost the bottoms of both legs, I think right below the knee.  Story about how he recovered and eventually became a commercial pilot.  His marriage ended & he rarely saw his 3 kids and to over come this he realized he had to take the mountain back on.  He started mountain climbing and on his 2nd attempt was able to get to the top of Mt McKinley.  Not a bad read but not really all that interesting to me either.

I have posted it on PBS, it is the only copy but who knows if it will ever get requested.

Thursday, August 30, 2018

Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim--#42 finished

Another short story book by David Sedaris.  He has a crazy screwed up family and also crazy screwed up thoughts so makes for good reading.  Some of his stories have semi-serious intent that does make you think but even those are enjoyable humorous stories.  Overall a good read.

There are plenty of copies in PBS already so no reason to post this book.  I will probably keep it at this point like I have his earlier book I read.

Saturday, August 25, 2018

Bigfoot Dreams--#41 finished

A tabloid writer in the 1980s life which is already kind of struggling becomes more so when one of her made up stories actually happens.  The paper gets sued & she loses her job.  Not sure on this book, lots of characters that just seem too out there.  I liked the idea of the book but just seem wanting more from it.  I don't know, not a bad read but just seems like some story lines just kind of went away with ending while the book pushed on to an end that didn't really seem like an end.  Oh well, that happens.

I have posted it on PBS, there was 1 WL & I should be mailing it off later this morning.

Thursday, August 16, 2018

V is for Vengeance--#40 finished

It had been a while since I had read a Kinsey Milhone book, looks like since the 47th book read last year so maybe not quite a year.  It was time, I really enjoy this series and am dreading that it is coming to an end with no wrap up.  Sue Grafton passed away after writing Y and the family said there would be no Z, the alphabet ends at Y for them.  I certainly understand their feelings about not wanting someone else to carry this series on, but I will certainly miss it.  This series is one that I have kept the books so re-reading it will likely happen at some point too.  This book was about the mob group in town, not a big Godfather type operation but big and powerful enough.  I like that even the baddest guy in the mob was not a cold blooded ruthless killer, seems a little more thought put into the characters than what I often read.  The bad guy is so bad you will be shocked because there is no line he will cross.  This bad guy just seemed kind of stupid and maybe opportunistic in his own way.  Overall a pretty good read, I think others were probably better but again big points for continuing the series with an interesting read.

It will be on my keeper shelf so won't be posting it.  It is in a little rough shape anyway so probably not good enough to post either.

Saturday, August 11, 2018

The Cigarette Century--#39 finished

A long & well researched book, at least I assume well research--tons of references in the back of the book.  I liked the info on the history and the beginnings of the research into the health effects of cigarettes.  I am not a smoker so reading this was more for information & entertainment.  The last part of the book dealt more with the legal goings on in the US & then world wide.  While this is important and was good information, just not something I was as interested in.  I think most people know cigarettes bad, big tobacco companies also very very bad, the lengths those companies went to keep the terrible health effects is really a poor reflection on what business should be about.  I probably need to search out a book on the effects of mass consumerism and I would guess cigarettes played a part in pulling us the consumers to the crazy end we are at now.  Oh well, lots of good info but very long book.

There is 1 WL for it on PBS & I have posted it, just waiting for it to be accepted.

Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Point of Balance--#38 finished

An action adventure book about a doctor that has been chosen to operate on the President of the US.  Somehow an assassin found out about this ahead of time & has set in place a kidnapping of the doctor's daughter so the doctor will be forced to kill the President on the operating table.  Doctor's wife has died before and the wife's family is in the book too.  Sister in law is a secret service agent that doctor gets to help out, not officially because that could cause assassin to kill daughter.  Book has some good stuff but really seemed to just drag out in too many places.  Not a bad read but not close to being a favorite either.

There was 1 WL for the book so I have posted it & will be mailing it off in the next couple of days.

Saturday, August 4, 2018

The Blue Tattoo--#37 finished

The Life of Olive Oatman.  I had probably seen Olive Oatman's photo at some point in my life but the memory hadn't stuck.  She was captured by Apache Indians in AZ/Mexico area in the late 1840s.  Her family was moving from Illinois to AZ or California as part of a wagon train.  At a late stop and only about 200 miles from their destination, her father decided to push on, while the few wagons/families with them decided to wait for provisions.  Those remaining 200 miles were tough miles & the family was struggling to get through them, when the Apaches came upon them wanting food and ended up killing nearly the whole family.  Olive & her younger sister Mary Ann were captured, one brother Lorenzo was left for dead but somehow survived, rest were killed.   Sisters were with Apaches for a year as slaves and then were sold to the Mohave Indians.  This writer, I think, did an excellent job of giving a feel for that life and how the sisters were accepted and part of the tribe of Mohave and not slaves.  Mary Ann died at a time of extreme famine in the area and about a year later Olive was returned to an army fort.  Then started the 2nd part of her life where the story of her captivity and the tattoos she had from then thrust her into the limelight.  Writer brought out how Olive was at first used by the first writer about her life with the Indians as a story of white over natives and how his story followed in lines of other captivity stories.  Both gain fame & money from this and Olive was able to eventually establish her own life as a speaker traveling the country earning her living. This was a really interesting story about Olive & I think the author did a very good job of talking about how it fit into the mindset and history of the time.

There are 61 WL for the book so I will get it mailed off at some point on PBS.

Saturday, July 28, 2018

The Wild Numbers--#36 finished

Today was my catch up day on logging in books.  I finished this book just this morning though.  A quick good read about a university mathematics professor and department.  Professor just kind of slogging along, struggling with his research and a crazy adult student.  Professor thinks he solved a famous math problem after nearly going crazy himself.  Then adult student thinks he copied his work and attacks.  In end crazy adult student is crazy and professor had a simple error in his equation that should have been caught.  Altogether though made a good story.

I have posted it on PBS, it is the 2nd copy in system.  No idea if it will move or not though.

The Secret Life of Bees--#35 finished

I really liked this book.  Set in Georgia in the '60s Civil Rights era with a young teenage daughter being raised by her tough and unloving father.  Her and the housekeeper get into trouble & run away toward a town that she only saw a name of as a place her mother must have been.  Lucks into finding a house of black ladies running a honey business and stays with them.  More of the story comes out and it is a good read.  I enjoyed this book.

There are already 342 copies in the PBS system, no reason to add another.  Not sure if I will keep it & maybe try to talk someone else into reading or just give it away.

Miss Wyoming--#34 finished

A really good and interesting read.  A mom forces her daughter into beauty contests that the daughter wins.  Mom is ruthless about it.  Daughter eventually gets put into a sitcom even though can't act but becomes a celebrity.  Life after that is tough.  Survives a plane crash & disappears for a year, leads a secret life.  While this story being told another story of a director who life is also falling apart is being told.  The two meet and you assume they get together but a twist ensues.  Really interesting and funny at times too along with sad and all that.  Good read.

I have posted it on PBS, it is the only copy of this version, there are a few other versions and hardback copies out there.  I would think it will move at some point.

Friday, July 13, 2018

The Last Days of Video--#33 finished

The reason finally doing all the catch up on my reading log.  I finished this & went ahead and posted it to PBS and will be mailing it out tomorrow.

This book had some good parts and some that were just too much out there and didn't really make sense.  I liked the idea of an independent video rental store dying off, Blockbuster opened down the street but also with video dying before that.  Interesting characters, maybe too gruff and drunk at points but oh well.  I don't get the whole hollywood director coming back & filming in small town North Carolina that is also a good friend of lady that basically runs the video store.  Try to use him and actors as last ditch attempt to save store but falls apart.  Just a little too out there, wonder if alternate reality story line exists that would have been better.  Oh well still a decent read.  Maybe next PBS reader will like too.

Travels with Barley--#32 finished

Still more catch up being done, just finished this about a week ago.  It is a dated book about the rise in popularity of microbrew beer and beer pubs in the early 2000s.  Well it is still going on today and even more so if I had to guess.  Interesting stuff about how this all got started.  Also interesting stuff about the big boys in beer--AB, Miller, Coors and so on.  He also threw in a road trip kind of way starting in MN around where Mississippi River starts and followed it down to New Orleans.  Fun read except couldn't help thinking in places too dated & just wondered what now some of the places he mentions are up to.  I guess I could use the internet & check but probably won't.

The book is in a little rough shape so can't post on PBS.  It will be a keeper for now at least.

Gunmetal Gray--#31 finished

Playing a little catch up here, I finished this around the 1st and just now getting it logged.  This is the next in the Gray Man series.  It is a really good and interesting series.  The ex-CIA guy is now sort of welcomed back and soon after the welcoming he is on a job.  Good action and moves fast.  Not sure how long he will stay in the good graces of the CIA but at least they aren't hunting him anymore.

I will be posting it on PBS at some point, I think there are around 20 or so WL for it but in no hurry with it.  I still have the earlier book in this series too that I haven't posted so maybe will try to ship off together.

Saturday, June 30, 2018

The Demon Crown--#30 finished

This was one started before vacation and then left at home by accident during vacation.  Finished it up after we got back.  Another in the Sigma Force series, good series but not great.  Author weaves what could really happen in a world changing way & the Sigma crew find a way to stop it--happened again.  Wasps resurrected from Dinosaur times are unleashed in Hawaii and kill many & get close to throwing whole world into panic.  Not sure I really buy the bad guys that much, at some point the crazy leader guy would probably piss off an underling who would dime him out but just doesn't happen.  Action moved quickly and everything saved in end.

I will post on PBS at some point, 29 WL so don't have to post anytime soon.

Got my average up to 6 a month now, not sure I can keep it there but nice to at least get it close by end of year.

Chocolates For Breakfast--#29 finished

This was one of the books I picked up at a used bookstore while on vacation.  I had selected one and was still just walking around wanting a 2nd book when I saw it & grabbed it.  Looked interesting and was the one started to read on vacation.  I really good and interesting read.  From the cover it says the author was 18 when she wrote this, looks like was written in the '50s.  About a girl growing up quick at 15 to 18, first in Hollywood and then in New York.  Her mother was an actress struggling to find work and the girl had to be independent in growing up.  Given the time written, surprised the sex and homosexuality that was mentioned along with lots of drinking and wasting of life kind of things.  Throw in some tragedy and it was a really good read.  As much time as I had been in used book stores, I am surprised I hadn't seen this book or heard about it before.

It is an older book, my copy was printed in the '60s so no ISBN which makes posting on PBS maybe not worth it.  I will probably keep it at this point, like I said I did like the book.

Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Camino Island--#28 finished

This was one of the books that was supposed to go along on vacation and be finished up then--I had started it a couple days before vacation.  I only received the book through PBS like 4 or 5 days before leaving on vacation but with it being a mass market Grisham book, I know I must read them ASAP if there are WL for it and there are.

As far as the book, I really enjoyed it.  Stolen F Scott Fitzgerald original manuscripts lets Grisham weave a story with writers and a bookseller.  A nice diversion from the more typical lawyer books.  Really a good quick summer vacation kind of read, even though it got left behind from vacation for me.

I have posted it on PBS and it has been accepted so I will be mailing it off in the next couple of days.

Monday, June 25, 2018

The Atlantis Revelation--#27 finished

This is a book I picked up on vacation and read.  I had packed the 3 books I was reading in a bag with couple extra pair of shoes & clothes and that bag got left behind.  This was the most exciting sounding book in Dollar General that was nearby on vacation and it got bought & read.  I didn't know if was the 3rd book in the series but I kind of figured that out right away since in reading it, it just sounded like the reader should know some more background stuff.  Not too bad, just a little out there with the whole super rich stuff along with the super smart guy fighting them and a super great looking nun that might not be a nun now because of her new job/position in an organization within the Vatican.  Getting by all that, the action was fast and kept the pages turning, always good in a vacation read.  Not sure if I will bother getting the others in series though, have enough other series and books to read already.

I have posted it on PBS, it was the 2nd copy but it has already been requested.  I will be mailing it out later this week.

Saturday, June 16, 2018

Case Histories--#26

This one started off tough to read.  A young girl of 3 or 4 goes missing.  A young lady around 19 seems to be super nice, is stabbed to death at her dads work.  Eventually these become case for a private eye in England along with a few others and story turns good.  I liked it overall but was just depressing at the beginning hearing the awful things that he would much later be investigating.

I will post on PBS, there are already 12 copies in system so probably not going anywhere anytime soon.

All Shall Be Well; and All Shall Be Well; and All Manner of Things Shall Be Well--#25 finished

A man that was already seemingly on the edge of reality in his life, basically goes over the edge after his wife that he loves suffers through cancer and then dies.  Their son & daughter are young adults and it seems like mom was the stabilizing one and he drives them away during her suffering.  Through in some screwed up family stuff on her side and he being most comfortable living a middle ages festival kind of life and that is the tip of the iceberg on this story.  A weird read.  I finished it probably a week and half ago & just now getting logged in and still not really sure if I liked it.  Parts may have been funny but also just painful.  Not really sure on this book.

I have posted it on PBS, there were already 2 copies in system so figure won't be going anywhere anytime soon.

Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Fifty-Nine in '84--#24 finished

This is an old time baseball read about Old Hoss Radbourn who won 59 games in 1884.  Good read about early baseball.  Interesting how the different leagues had come about and the troubles of money back then too.  First year where throwing overhand was legal too.  Just a good read too about some of the different personalities in the game, some names that I had heard of and others just getting introduced to.  Glad I read it.

Not sure if this will be a keeper or not.  There are 5 or 6 WL for it so have time to decide yet.

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

The Lost Order--#23 finished

This is the 12th book in the Cotton Malone series.  I like the characters and the quick paced action in the books.  This one the story was just a little too out there but I has to be difficult to find those historical oddities and somehow relate them to something that could happen today.  The Knights of the Golden Circle, I had never heard of it before, but was a group of Southern gentlemen that formed just before the Civil War.  Sounds like a Lions Club, etc almost for the 1850s, with a goal of keeping the Southern life alive.  He takes some liberties and extends the life way beyond reality but makes for interesting reading.

I have already posted it on PBS & will be mailing out today.  It is a mass market paperback so wanted to keep it moving.  It was down to like 10 WL on it.

Saturday, May 26, 2018

Edda--#22 finished

This is the 3rd and final book in a series.  First book I thought was the best, Epic, the next two just kind of continued the story.  Glad the series has ended, didn't see much else to do here.  A sci-fi book with humans and the humans load into characters that can go out & do things like fight with AI people in different worlds.  A little confusing and throw in the people they meet trying to figure out what they are.  Just a different kind of story.

I have already posted it on PBS & will be mailing it off later today.

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

My Search for Warren Harding--#21 finished

A 1970s book about a graduate college student trying to investigate if Warren Harding had a mistress and fathered a child with the mistress.  He figures this will not only get his research paper, Phd and will make him rich when publishes and I figure a cushy teaching job on top of it.  I didn't know all of the background about Harding & his mistresses and looks like some info just came out in the last few years even.  As far as the book goes it is more of a humorous look at what this guy will go through, unfortunately the 1970s humor just didn't do it for me.  Didn't like the characters or how they acted or even much of the story.  Oh well, that happens, at least I have read it now & be done with it.

There was 1 WL for it & I have posted it and it has been accepted.  I will be mailing it off in the next couple of days.

Creativity, Inc--#20 finished

This is a book by Ed Catmull who was, maybe still is, president of Pixar Animation and Disney Animation.  Goes into his background of student in '60's & into '70s getting his Phd and the very early stages of computer animation.  How this company was owned by John Lucas around Star Wars time and then sold to Steve Jobs and the found of Pixar and then eventually being sold to Disney but still running a separate operation.  Pixar is still kicking out very good animation movies.  Lots of positive and interesting ways on how a creative business should be run.  Interesting read and kind of fun to see some of the background stuff on the movies we watched when kids were younger.  Kids older now so not seeing as much animated movies.

There are I think 22 WL on PBS for the book so I will get it posted & mailed off at some point.  Have enough others right now so will let it sit for a little while yet.

Monday, April 30, 2018

City Beasts--#19 finished

Short fiction stories by Mark Kurlansky, good read on most of them.  He incorporated wild animals into the stories in different ways.  Kind of interesting but I like his non-fiction much better.  Not a bad read though.

There are 11 WL for book in PBS so I will get it posted probably sometime soon & get it mailed off to the next person.

War and Peace--#18 finished

Not sure how many times this makes it as reading War and Peace.  Has to be about my favorite book of all time.  Just a great story with great characters.  I have told this before to people, that as I age, it seems I catch something a little different than what I read before.  First time I read it around senior in high school, the battles and warfare--and probably that I didn't know that Napoleon invaded Russia--not much Russian history taught in high school.  The later times I have read it, it seems like I got more out of the interesting court and high society lived in Russia.  Then later the families and relationships going on.  This time, not really sure but the whole Moscow burning seems to be something I have read before but now I seem to understand it more, no idea why or maybe just my poor memory of what stuck with me from earlier reads.  Very interesting and very good book, I recommend it to everyone that is a reader and if not a reader suggest reading something a little shorter before tackling this.

This is a keeper copy, so won't be going to PBS.  Also is kind of beaten up so probably couldn't post there anyway.

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

The Story of a Marriage--#17 finished

A book that was not what I was expecting.  Really good read that makes you think, although by the end you just wanted to force the 3 main characters to sit down & talk about all this together.  It started with WWII, boyfriend & girlfriend, he gets draft card but his mother doesn't want him to go.  She keeps him home stashed in an upstairs bedroom for months while only the girlfriend visits--makes it look like taking piano lessons.  Eventually he is found & is sent to the war.  They loose touch, girlfriend had to move away in disgrace and goes to CA.  After war bumps into boyfriend and while he has mysterious air about him--not unusual because of the war & he was injured in war too.  They date & then marry and have a son.  Then a stranger appears into their lives, a wealthy white man--young couple are black.  Come to find out more about happenings in all lives but two men were lovers and rich guy says husband wants to join him.  This is where husband & wife don't talk about anything.  Throw in a young teenage white girl that is seducing husband and there is a lot to consider here.  Given the time of the '50s, Korean war going on, I guess people didn't talk about stuff--not sure I buy it.  Oh well, few twists & turns.  Good read, certainly kept me guessing in parts.

I have posted it on PBS, there was 1 WL but they didn't want an ex-library copy so it is on my PBS bookshelf now waiting.  Book is 10 years old so who knows how long the wait will be.

Monday, April 16, 2018

Best Practices from America's Best Churches--#16 finished

This book, like the other one just posted, are book edited books.  This is just published talks that happened at a conference.  Some ideas but not sure how applicable to my church.  Throughout the book, it seemed as though changes happened & church became successful, just wonder if it has lasted at these churches or not.  I should probably check back in on them if I could.  Just wondering.

I have posted this on PBS, there is 1 copy already there.  I am guessing not a big rush to get this book so it will probably be sitting on my PBS shelf for some time.

Gangsters, Swindlers, Killers, Thieves--#15 finished

A book with quick write-ups about 50 American villains.  Some interesting stuff and well some just not so much.  Not sure how they came up with the list, lots of 1930s to 1960s mob types.  Nothing too much here.

Book is a ex-library book that is in rough shape, it will go to my give away pile.

Saturday, March 31, 2018

Drone Command--#14 finished

This is the next in the okay series of drone books.  Like the others it is good, some action and some interesting scenarios but overall hard to believe all of what is going on in the book.  Throw in an ex-female President of the US that is hard to find and hangs out with this main drone character that is also ex-CIA operative that are getting into all of this--well like I said kind of hard to buy in.  Book enough of a page turner that is at least entertaining.

There was 1 WL for it so I posted as soon as I finished but that timed out, so it is now on my bookshelf waiting.

Born to Run--#13 finished

A book about ultra-runners and a people in Mexico that are ultra runners as a kind of lifestyle--the Tarahumara.  Also this book wrote about barefoot running and it gave that idea a big jolt back when it was written about 10 years ago or so.  A really interesting read about the ultra marathons and some of the people running them.  Also with the ultra the writer did with several big time runners with the tribal people in Mexico.  Just a fun read.  It had been in my shelf for too many years, should have read it long before now.  Just reminds me that I need to get back out there & do some running.

My copy is not postable on PBS, it has gotten water damaged.  Not sure if will be give away or maybe keep.

Thursday, March 15, 2018

The Legacy--#13 finished

After I typed up the last book, Not Working, I saw that I hadn't entered the one I had finished previously, The Legacy.  I had finished this like a week ago and just forgot to log it in.  An older book, written back in 1998 so all that technology stuff going on today doesn't apply.  It is about a 2nd tape from different angle of the JFK assassination and a son that was estranged from his dad receives this VCR tape.  As soon as he receives it shadowy people are trying to steal it or kill him for it, they get the first copy but his dad made a 2nd copy.  Kind of an interesting read, I have not gotten to involved in the JFK conspiracy theories and all that so maybe not so much for me.  Oh well, it was a mass media paperback that fit in my coat during the cold weather so I could take it with me when out & about.

There are plenty of copies already on PBS so this will be donated to one of the mini libraries in the area for someone else to enjoy.

Not Working--#11 finished

A 20 something woman in England is having trouble deciding what to do with her life.  She has quit her job in order to focus on finding something that she would enjoy doing and not just a job.  Her longtime boyfriend is a resident becoming a doctor.  Conflicts come up with her parents, her boyfriend and friends.  She has a rough time of actually getting anything done or accomplished but after a few blowups the book does end with her sounding like she has come through this time and will be ok.  A good read, that overall I enjoyed.  I remember the stresses of life when trying to decide what to do when your education and desires didn't really point you in any direction.  She sees people around her that she knew in college, etc that are now making good money and talking about starting a family and she seems to think time has passed her by.  Like I said earlier though by end of book she has seemed to adopt an attitude that she will get a job and if it doesn't work will try something else, the pressure of finding the perfect job is no longer there.

There are no copies on PBS and no WL for this version of the book.  Other versions show like 8 WL for it though so I am figuring it will get requested.  I did post it on PBS already.

Thursday, March 1, 2018

The Motel Life--#10 finished

A couple brothers with just a depressing life.  So many bad decisions and an almost stubbornness to change or accept that their lives need to change.  Mom basically raised them as a single mother after dad gambled away his life & going to jail never to be seen again.  Mom dies of cancer when both in high school, older one quits right away & gets crappy job and younger sticks with school little longer but still quits when near graduating.  People around them are all struggling and fighting demons, just a real depressing kind of book.  I didn't even mention that the older brother was drunk & kills a kid on a bike as a hit & run.  Questions about why kid out at midnight or whatever it was, wearing black & jumping out into street--fault not all with brother but kid still dead.  Doesn't leave body & get help, instead puts into car and finds brother and then eventually leave body near hospital and they take off for a while.  Just crazy bad decisions to start book and continue whole way through.

All this being said, I really like this author, he has the ability to bring these characters alive.  You really feel the struggles and torment the people are feeling and how it seems they are trapped in this just tough life they have.  There is just a glimmer that maybe they could fight to rise to a reasonable maybe lower middle class existence but you as the reader know it is not likely.  One of those books or stories where, well you thought your life was bad kind of thing.

Even though I really like the book & author, it is not a keeper.  I have already posted it on PBS, there is 1 WL for it & maybe it will get accepted & I can mail off this weekend.  If not I guess it will go on my bookshelf but figure it will get requested before too long, this is just too good of writer not to.

Monday, February 26, 2018

Bad Behavior--#9 finished

A good short story book.  Originally published in 1988 so has an '80s feel to it, which is just different from today.  The whole no cell phones, rarely a computer mention, etc was kind of a nice change to bring back the memories of then.  Some weird people and stuff going on and stories that just kind of go no where and then end, just kind of what is thrown into some of the short story books I have read. Overall a good read.

The book is not postable for PBS, there is some water damage to the back pages, not much but is there & cannot mail off in PBS.  I will hold onto it for now and put in my donate pile that will eventually go somewhere.

Saturday, February 17, 2018

Joyland--#8 finished

A hard case crime paperback that was written by Stephen King.  It was a good read and a good reminder that King can really write just good stories.  Many of his novels are the supernatural world has changed--likely for the worse--or other type of large epic things happening to a person or world.  This was just a kind of coming of age story with a crime that was in the background for most of the book.  Just a good read.  It has been a long time since I read his short story book Different Seasons or something like that and from what I remember this was kind of the same feeling to it.

I will post on PBS, there are no WL for it but there was 1 a few days ago so figure it will probably move at some point.

Monday, February 12, 2018

On Par--#7 finished

On Par: The Everyday Golfer's Survival Guide, a good golf read.  The author has a column in the NY Times, I don't read the times & rarely read about golf but I know there are some good golfing stories so thought I would try this.  I had picked it up on a library sale so for probably a dollar.  It was more about golf than golfing stories but still a good read generally.  I have golf but the last few years has been a 1 or 2 times a year thing.  Now more into Disc Golf, frisbee as some would say.  No cost to use the course and try to get the kids involved with it, price is certainly right.  Can do 9 holes in under an hour & 18 in under 2 hours.  I just don't have the time & money to put toward golfing regularly so Disc Golf fits much better.  Oh well, book was good read.

There were no copies on PBS so I posted it & it got requested today so will be mailing it off this week.

Friday, February 9, 2018

Seventh Plague--#6 finished

A Sigma Force novel series book.  Author James Rollins finds things that kind of lean to some truths and string together a nice and exciting fiction novel where some of this could point to some this could really happen.  This one is just a little too far out there but I am guessing this isn't the easiest thing to do either so still have to give him some credit.  The plagues of Egypt with Dr Livingston & Stanley and then Tesla and throw in Mark Twain and others too.  Weird mix of people and stories.  I guess what I don't like is how all this stuff had gone unnoticed for years and now all the sudden comes up and this group of Sigma people quickly figure it out and do battle with the bad people trying to cause lots of trouble, etc.  Oh well, at least usually makes for quick interesting read.

I will post on PBS probably pretty soon since a paperback book, there are 14 WL for it so will try to move soon on it.

Monday, January 29, 2018

Class A: Baseball in the Middle of Everywhere--#5 finished

A college student writer gets to follow a Class A baseball team in Clinton, IA for a season.  Team and coaches allow him access to players and locker room and he sits with fans during the game.  Brings an interesting perspective to the players, the minors, fans & the local town.  Really an interesting read, especially if a baseball fan.  I checked Baseball Reference more than a few times to lookup players & see how their baseball career went, interesting that a couple players that didn't last on the team long are still playing in Independent or Mexican League ball.  Also fun to see the 4 or 5 that made it to the major leagues too.  I really enjoyed this book.

I will post it on PBS at some point, there are no copies in system but too busy with other stuff right now that I don't want to post it & get it requested, not sure will have time to hit the post office for the next few days.

Friday, January 19, 2018

The Good Mayor--#4 finished

A romance more than story book it seems.  Had some weird stuff too that just made it confusing.  A good mayor loves his secretary and she is in a tough marriage that has seemed to fall to pieces after their young baby died.  The mayor is wooing her with lunches, etc but never goes beyond that to force the issue.  When he finally realizes that is what she wants he was hours late because she found another guy that was around her husband.  If she had half a brain this would not have happened but then I guess book would not have been published either.  She is then in a terrible relationship but doesn't want to admit she was wrong.  Life with her as secretary & mayor is bad too, seems like can't stand each other.  Boyfriend dies, she turns into a dog so they can escape to land across the sea and she can turn back into a loving wife for the now ex-mayor.  Also weird stuff about the city saint that sees everything & talks in the book.  An Italian family that runs a coffee shop and a locked away stage with imaginary performers that come out a few times.  I don't get it and have spent too long already writing this up for a book that was probably just not worth the time.

I have posted it on PBS & there were already 3 copies in system.  I don't think it will move but will leave on bookshelf for now.

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty--#3 finished

A screwed up kind of family, Big the grandmother and her daughter Little and Little's daughter Mosey are each 15 years apart from their mom.  Story starts with Big being worried because Mosey turning 15 and that is when she had her baby and then her daughter had hers so she is afraid Mosey will continue this family tradition.  From there the book takes off in some serious directions.  Each chapter is told from the point of view of one of the 3 main characters.  A pretty good story, some of it just too far out there and also has the easy to hate people too.  Seems like some things & people get introduced and then kind of pushed aside, seems like there would be more to tell in some directions.  Still overall a good and interesting read.  Mostly enjoyable.

I will be posting on PBS at some point, 8 WL for it so doesn't have to go soon but will probably move it along in next month or so.

Sunday, January 7, 2018

Live Girls--#2 finished

A different sort of book, really kind of strange.  Just weird people in a run down & bad, sad part of town.  Reading the reality of the girl, the main character, she is basically a liar about all details of her life.  She takes about her sister that had an accident & scarred her face at a young age & the sister blames the main character about this.  Sister becomes a recluse and eventually dies young.  Kind of wonder if this girl is really the other sister and then wonder if any of the story is true.  Which kind of lead me to wonder why did I bother reading this.  Not the best book out there, at least for me, I just don't get it.

I have posted it on PBS, it is the only copy in the system so I would think it will move at some point. While I didn't like it, it has an artsy feel to it.

Friday, January 5, 2018

End Game--#1 finished

This is a book about chess great Bobby Fischer.  A really interesting person that I didn't know a whole lot about.  The movie Searching for Bobby Fischer was probably my first time I learned much about him beyond chess great turned recluse.  Then later news of his arrest, anti-Semitism and eventual denouncing the US and moving to Iceland.  Obviously a much more complicated person than my general knowledge and glad I read this book to fill in some of the big gaps.  Still, like most I guess, I don't really understand how or why he went off the deep end like he did.  Living in near poverty in CA for years and then turning into an out-spoken anti-Semite.  I would say a sad life but it sure seems like he chose his life so maybe not sad but more of a what could have been instead.

I will post on PBS at some point, there are 7 WL for it so not a big hurry yet.  I have plenty of books to post and enough credits right now.

Glad to get my first book of the new year finished.  I was glad to get to 70 for last year, who knows what this year will bring.