Foreign Influence--#74 finished

 This is a series that I started reading a few books in it but not from the beginning.  I looked on PBS & the first book in series is not available and I had this one--something like the 9th book and figured I would just read it.  A good read, a few of the characters I knew, obviously the main guy Scot Horvath.  Some of the things done, the extreme torture of terrorists especially seem like issues so long ago, this book was written in 2010.  I will have to keep looking for book number 1 and try to start series at the beginning at some point.

There are already enough copies on system and this book is a little rough with slightly tore pages toward the end, I will probably keep for now in case want to re-read when I start the series from beginning. 

Book Doctor--#73 finished

This is a lady that helps people write their books and it is a story about her relationships and how her perspective was changed by one she was helping.  It is a funny kind of quirky book with interesting characters.  I enjoyed reading the letters she received from people that wanted her help and the types of books they were writing.  The tax attorney that comes and wants her help to write his story but his story seems to change pretty regularly.  She gives him some writing advice & lessons and meets him once a week but it is almost therapy for him and her.  A good and interesting read.

There are no copies on PBS so I will probably post it now.  Was thinking about keeping it but doubt I can get anyone else in house interested in reading. 

Satchel--#72 finished

 This is a book about Satchel Paige.  A good telling of his life from growing up in Mobile, AL and then his life in baseball.  Some of the struggles both for him and the leagues he was playing in.  The travel time and side games he was sent to to earn extra money.  It had to be a tough life but since he was one of the best, he at least was earning more than most.  The traveling to Dominican Republic and Cuba as well in winters to keep earning a paycheck.  Also then once the color barrier was broken, how Jackie Robinson was seen by other Negro Leaguers and then his chance at the big leagues.  Then his life after the major leagues but not without baseball--still playing on traveling teams.  This is certainly a story worth hearing, glad I read this book.

There are 3 WL for it on PBS so I will probably mail it off to let someone else enjoy it.

Contagious--#71 finished

 Contagious: Why Things Catch On, is the full title.  It talks about characteristics of things that become popular.  He talks about a blender that was so powerful could bust up marbles, golf balls, etc but was unknown until was able to get videos out showing these things.  It goes of different things to consider and think about for products and ads.  I thought a lot of good more practical advice but wasn't really something that interested me overall.

There are 3 or 4 WL for the book so I will get it mailed off at some point probably soon.

The Burglar--#70 finished

 A fun read about a female burglar that breaks and enters and steals cash, guns, jewelry--smaller easy to grab items from rich houses.  One house she enters she finds a murder scene and backs out & thinks she gets away but people keep chasing her.  She thinks it is the police but comes to realize it is a security team that had planted small cameras throughout their clients houses and was blackmailing them.  They were also the ones that killed the 3 people in the house and are now after her.  A good quick read, lots of action and good detail about what goes on in her life. An enjoyable and different kind of story.

Will probably post at some point on PBS, I think there are 20 some WL for it so no hurry.

Open--#69 finished

 This is a short story book by a Canadian author.  I enjoyed some of the stories and others just seemed to be more exercises in writing--almost trying to throw the reader off by talking about the now & the same paragraph flashing back or sideways or something.  I have generally had good luck with the short story books I have read and this didn't seem as good--not bad--more of a disappointment I guess.

There are no copies in PBS but this is also an author signed copy.  I will probably post on PBS at some point though since overall seemed just okay to me.

A Painted House--#68 finished

 This is an older John Grisham book that I hadn't read before.  This book and also the three before it were my vacation books.  This one & the one just previous were finished after back from vacation.  I enjoy the Grisham books and this was a nice change in that it wasn't about any lawyers.  A poor sharecropping family in Arkansas in the 1950s and the hillbillies and Mexicans they hire for the harvest of their cotton.  A good quick type read.

Plenty of copies of this already on PBS so this will also just go in my donation pile.