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.