A short novella that brings Christmas to the 87th Precinct. The detectives bring in an odd collection of minor criminals. Three con men, referred to aA short novella that brings Christmas to the 87th Precinct. The detectives bring in an odd collection of minor criminals. Three con men, referred to as 'wise guys', a young crook with a stolen sheep and then a pair of Puerto Ricans. Jose and his pregnant wife Maria :)
I found the beautiful slip cased and illustrated hard cover edition of this book in a 2nd hand books store and I imagine it's really hard to find.
While I have read a dozen SF novels by Iain M. Banks, this is the first literary, non SF, one I have read.
My overall impression is that it's really, rWhile I have read a dozen SF novels by Iain M. Banks, this is the first literary, non SF, one I have read.
My overall impression is that it's really, really hard to believe this is the same author. Bank's literary prose is amazing and often reads like more poetry. My only real criticism of the book in fact, is that sometimes the prose seems to be over indulgent and you can't see the story for the words. And speaking of the story, it's very dark and brutal so I would not read this unless you are okay with the atrocities of modern civil wars.
Right at the beginning of this book a person with pyrokinetic abilities is described as being loose in the city. Sounds good and fits the title of theRight at the beginning of this book a person with pyrokinetic abilities is described as being loose in the city. Sounds good and fits the title of the book and the description. But, then nothing happens on this theme for over 300 pages. This is a case of literary bait and switch.
Almost the whole book is about petty squabbling between members of the Vampire Council, the local vampires and various factions of shape shifting were beasts. Hamilton does a good job of forging an emotional connection to the characters but uses various methods of torture and violence to achieve that.
People have told me the first half a dozen books of this series are the best. Based on this one (#7) I believe they are right and I may drop the series at this point. ...more
A fashion model is murdered in her apartment and there is a good description of the suspect. It matches that of her manager so it should be an open anA fashion model is murdered in her apartment and there is a good description of the suspect. It matches that of her manager so it should be an open and shut case. Of course it's not and things take a few odd turns that leave the detectives confused.
Another solid book in the series. Events at the end of this book look like they will be a turning point in Detective Bert Kling's career, so I will looking out for that in following books.
Another fine novel from Wibur Smith. There's an excellent balanced mix of history, characters, plot and action, all against the background of Africa. Another fine novel from Wibur Smith. There's an excellent balanced mix of history, characters, plot and action, all against the background of Africa. The main focus of this book is the siege of the city of Khartoum and the various battles that occurred during the 1880's in the Sudan.
I'm not sure of the historical accuracy of the events in this book more than the basic facts. I remember covering it in school and I have seen the movie with Charlton Heston as General Gordon. Checking in Wikipedia I found that he was quite a colorful character.
Well worth reading. But a word of caution. There is quite a lot of brutality on the part of the Dervish people so not one for the feint of heart....more
Carl Sagan's final book, finished up shortly before his untimely death in 1997. Because of that some of the science presented in the book has been surCarl Sagan's final book, finished up shortly before his untimely death in 1997. Because of that some of the science presented in the book has been surpassed in the last 20 years. But most of his conclusions, and fears, have continued along much the same paths as he discussed in the book, global warming, pollution and uncontrolled population growth.
As with most books of this type I was totally engrossed by the hard science topics and less so by most of the 'soft science' discussion. Still, overall I enjoyed reading this and will defiantly read any other books by Dr Sagan that I come across. (I have read several, but there are still a few that I have skipped.)...more
Even though I have a hardback copy of this one, I listened to it on audio because it's narrated by Stacy Keach. I'm sure I'm not alone in agreeing witEven though I have a hardback copy of this one, I listened to it on audio because it's narrated by Stacy Keach. I'm sure I'm not alone in agreeing with Max Alan Collins that Keach is the voice of Mike Hammer for a generation (or even longer really).
In the intro, Collins explains that he completed this book from a manuscript that was an early alternative version of Spillane's 1962 book The Girl Hunters. As such, quite a bit of this book felt very familiar. It has all the traits that make Hammer the character he is, a violent ruthless vigilante. It's written very much in the style of the period, so people obsessed with modern political correctness are likely to be offended.
The story begins, like so many others, when a cop friend of Hammer is murdered. Pat Chambers points him the direction of Miami, where all of the action occurs.
This is an odd one, it's familiarity works as a pro and a con so I give it 3.5 starts, rounded up to 4 for Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ. ...more
An unusual collection of 100 limericks written by Asimov. Each one is accompanied by some brief notes on how he came to write it and interesting takesAn unusual collection of 100 limericks written by Asimov. Each one is accompanied by some brief notes on how he came to write it and interesting takes on early versions where the rhyming did not quite fit. At the beginning of the book is a essay on the exact linguistics structure of the Limerick and the rules pertaining thereof. ...more
Book 2 of the trilogy. Despite this being a highly acclaimed and awarded novel I found this tough going. I think my main problem with this book was thBook 2 of the trilogy. Despite this being a highly acclaimed and awarded novel I found this tough going. I think my main problem with this book was that it was almost all concerned with the socio-political aspects of colonizing a new world and less with the scientific and engineering aspects of terraforming. The first book, Red Mars' also had a lot of this but at least the story moved along in that one. In Green Mars, nothing much happened until the last 60 or 70 pages, and then, quite a bit of it was a repeat of the events at the end of Red Mars. There were also a couple of plot threads that went nowhere so I am expecting those to pan out in book 3, Blue Mars.
Although this was not a an easy read, I did feel a sense of accomplishment on finishing it. I will be reading the final book of the trilogy later this year....more
This, the first book in the long running Inspector Rebus series, has been on my radar for quite some time but hard to find in the USA. Luckily I ran aThis, the first book in the long running Inspector Rebus series, has been on my radar for quite some time but hard to find in the USA. Luckily I ran across a copy in a charity shop while on vacation in the UK.
I enjoyed that characters and the setting but was not over enthusiastic about the plot and how it played out. As Ranking never intended this to be a series I think the writing in subsequent books may be a little more on point so I will continue reading them in the future. ...more
So far I think this is my favorite of the Rivers of London graphic novels. It's covers 4 of Peter Grant's minor cases with an overall theme of him trySo far I think this is my favorite of the Rivers of London graphic novels. It's covers 4 of Peter Grant's minor cases with an overall theme of him trying to explain 'Falcon involvement' to a reviewing officer. What I really liked about this one is how Aaronovitch writes Peter's inner voice. Sometimes it's hard to tell if he's really trying to explain modern PC Police terms, or just taking the piss:) Example: "We go back to basics and put some frighteners on some snouts." translates to "We adopted a proactive intelligence-gathering policy utilising appropriate stakeholders in the community and pre-established covert human intelligence sources."
A group of crazy militants want to declare part of Montana independent from the United States, but they accidentally kidnap Jack Reacher when they picA group of crazy militants want to declare part of Montana independent from the United States, but they accidentally kidnap Jack Reacher when they pick up a high profile hostage. If you have read any of these books, or seen either of the feature films you can probably imagine how that goes.
A decent story with lots of suspense and a couple of twists, decent characters and some despicable villains. Once I got to page 300 of this 400 page book I couldn't put it down, it's that sort of novel....more
I did not enjoy this one quite as much as the previous book in the series, but still a very entertaining read. For the most part this book is split inI did not enjoy this one quite as much as the previous book in the series, but still a very entertaining read. For the most part this book is split into two main POV's and it's the first one where some of the main characters from the first books were totally absent. In this case Perrin and Loyail, but then they did a get a lot of coverage in the previous book. This leaves me wondering if the event's in this book are supposed be happening at the same time as the battle in Edmonds Field. I think not, but if that is true then what's going on with Perrin? I'm sure this will all be clarified as I continue on with the series.
A few twists at the end of this book (one that I should have seen coming) and overall I think there are more uncertainties and questions poised than are answered. I have some good guesses on what will happen to some of the characters in the future so on to book #6....more
Book 4 of the series and my favorite since the first one. The main group of characters split up into small groups and there are 3 main POV's. Unlike mBook 4 of the series and my favorite since the first one. The main group of characters split up into small groups and there are 3 main POV's. Unlike many books where the POV's split and then all come together at the end, this was like 3 separate books, each with it's own conclusion. Each of the three story lines could stand on it's own as own novel. They would each be a decent length too as this is a LONG book. 700 pages in hardback and 40 hours in audio. (I was swiching between the two to get in as much reading time as possible.)
Each of the main characters shows some significant growth and there are some old and new friends throw into the mix. The ramping up of the characters powers and abilities continues at a somewhat faster pace than I would have expected, which makes me wonder how Jordan can maintain this pace.
For now I am going to take a break from WOT and read a few other things., But i'm off on vacation later this year and I will be taking the 1000 page paperback of The Fires of Heaven with me:)...more
Continuing the Wheel of Time with book 3. There is a lot less detailed travelling in this book, even though the main characters split up into several Continuing the Wheel of Time with book 3. There is a lot less detailed travelling in this book, even though the main characters split up into several smaller groups pursuing different goals. Rand's story takes a bit of a backseat to the others and there is lot of character development, particularly around Mat and Perrin. Good stuff and defiantly a story where you want to grab the next book to find out what happens next. My only criticism is that the book seems overly long for what actually happened. Most of the additional length comes from Jordan's superb world building, so overall this is actually a very minor fault....more
Chronologically book 12 of the Grand Tour series. This one all takes place on an experimental colony ship on a two year mission to Saturn. What almostChronologically book 12 of the Grand Tour series. This one all takes place on an experimental colony ship on a two year mission to Saturn. What almost nobody realizes is they are all part of a vast social experiment instigated and funded by the New Morality. If you have ever watched any reality TV, it's that kind of social interaction, but on a vastly larger scale. Of course, nobody is voted 'out' but the dynamics that evolve are somewhat similar.
Only one character has any significant connection to the previous books so most of the rest are new names and faces. That's not a problem as this book stands alone quite well. Pacing was pretty good and the ending was defiantly page turning material. I'm not sure I was convinced by Bova's ideas about the rings of Saturn, but it was certainly an original idea.
There's an obvious sequel to this book, 'Titan', but there's also a sequel to 'Jupiter', which I read a few weeks back. Not sure which one I want to read first. ...more
After being disappointed by the ending of Book two, this one fully redeems the trilogy. The story comes to a satisfying end and there is some excellenAfter being disappointed by the ending of Book two, this one fully redeems the trilogy. The story comes to a satisfying end and there is some excellent explanations to events that happened back in book one. There were quite a few mysterious events in that book, but they are all explained here. Some very clever writing indeed. However, I still think book two could have ended better and not remind me of a Bobby Ewing Dallas moment:)
If you enjoyed book one, then read books 2 and 3. It's well worth it. The ending of book 2 was a bit rough to me, but book 3 made up for it. ...more
I enjoyed this one almost as much as the first one. Old friends, new friends, old enemies and new enemies and more adventuring about the land. Lot's oI enjoyed this one almost as much as the first one. Old friends, new friends, old enemies and new enemies and more adventuring about the land. Lot's of great world building and references to history is slowly building a great picture in my head. I can only assume that this continues throughout the series.
My only criticism as that quite often things happen just too conveniently for my liking. Other than that a great read and clearly in the realm of 'feel good' epic fantasy.
This book is a bit of an odd one. It's supposed to be book 4 of the Asteroid Wars sub series, but it's more like a stand alone fill in. The backgroundThis book is a bit of an odd one. It's supposed to be book 4 of the Asteroid Wars sub series, but it's more like a stand alone fill in. The background fit's in with the main story in the series, but it's just an incidental incident with all new characters.
It was okay overall, but some of the answers I was hoping to find here were missing. As I'm reading them in chronological order (according to the author) this is pretty strange. Perhaps my questions will be explained in another book but as it stands it looks like a lot of events have been glossed over and remain unexplained....more
This book is the little known source material from which the very famous movie was made.
It's an adventure story of one man and one womans adventure iThis book is the little known source material from which the very famous movie was made.
It's an adventure story of one man and one womans adventure in Africa during the beginning of the war. They attempt an impossible trip down a mostly uncharted river in deepest Africa.
A good adventure story although I think the ending differs from the film. Not 100% sure of that as it's been a long time since I have seen it....more
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