OT: From the Bookshelf

[gunug]

Kelly - I've read several books with Elvis Cole as the character.  I just didn't lock into the name of the author.  He's apparently written half of the television series that I really loved!

[kelly]

I'm on my fifth Elvis Cole and Joe Pike book.

I'll save the other Books for last.

[jcarter]

We are also avid readers, usually history related books.  Novels too.  Research carefully so you don't purchase 'hokey' stuff, waste of $.  Peek at it in the library first, before you buy.
Then Amazon is where to go, 'used' books.

But one of the things that have been cutting into our reading time is the History Channel.
Modern Marvels, and so forth.
That seems to be some of the best TV available now.
We never watch much TV, but do eagerly scan HC, PBS, and the other good stations for goodies, you do indeed have to look, 'filter',  thru what is offered.  Don't try to 'surf', you will not get much.
But there is really some decent stuff out there in TV land, just have to look for it.
So much great stuff to see and read, just have to go and get it.
And at our age, being retired, there is an astounding amount of educational opportunities to get involved in,, and not expensive either.
We love it!
Jane

[kelly]

I like Modern Marvels also Jane.

Depends on the subject though.

[beacher]

Hey Kimmer, since you like Vince Flynn, you might want to check out John R. Maxim, Eric Van Lustbader, Suzanne Brockman and Gayle Lynds (has also co-written several books with Robert Ludlum!), F. Paul Wilson (Repairman Jack series!). . . Happy reading!

[kimmer]

Thank you, beacher! I'm hitting 2 used book sales this week and I'll take your list with me.

I scored 2 Robert Crais books recently. Can't wait to dive into one of them.

I read a light cozy from Laura Childs. She write "Tea Shop Mysteries", and it was entertaining. Not a heavy mystery, and it was easy to figure out, but I liked the charactes and I adored all the information on teas that was in the book. Plus at the end there are some recipes. What more could a gal ask for.  

I'm now reading my first ever J.D. Robb. My friend gave it to me and said it was great. It's futuristic and because I'm starting several books into the series, I was a bit lost at first (had to ask another Robb reader was LC's were!)    -- but I think I've figured all the lingo and such out now. Heh! Anyhow, I'm enjoying the book and the twists in the plot. I think that _____ and _____ are possibly ____, and that _____ did _____, and _____ did _____, but _____ might be involved too.    

I hit a garage sale yesterday and came home with 7 books ($1 each):

• "Nowhere to Hide" by James Elliot
• "Blind Instinct" by Robert Walker
• "Blood Workd" by Michael Connelly
• "Show of Evil" by William Diehl
• "A question of Proof" by Joseph Amiel
• "Demolition Angel" by Robert Crais
• "Saving Fairth" by David Baldacci  

Wonder which list these guys will wind up on? "Favorite Author - buy all their books", "Decent author - buy used if you see them", or "Run far away and leave those books behind". hahaha

I have some others to read as well - Sneakers took me to Robert's Books a few weeks back - so I'm in good for a bit.

[kelly]

"Demolition Angel" is pretty good.A non-Elvis Cole book.

Goes on about The Heroine's personal problems a bit much IMO.

But nobody writes exciting endings like Crais.

If you like it, you'll like the others I think.

[kimmer]

I finished "Nowhere to Hide" by James Elliot. The story is about the Mafia in NY. There were parts that had background info that interrupted the flow of the story and were not necessary. The big secrets were way to predictable, and one was revealed far too early, and the ending was totally lame. Worse, early on there is a most gruesome scene, and I didn't understand why it was there other than it involved an innocent female. When the males where the ones being "tortured/killed", it was quick and simple and not overly descriptive, but the one female was overboard. What, we need titillating torture of a female to sell a book?

As you can guess, I won't be reading any more of his books.

"Blind Instinct" by Robert Walker was on the top of the pile, and so I gave it a try. GRUESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Icky. I couldn't make it past page 5. Horrid, nasty, nasty. Probably would appeal to loads of fans of mystery-thrillers, but not this one.

Today I dig through the pile for a Crais.

[RHPConsult]

I am, simply stated, ADDICTED to Modern Marvels. Thank goodness for TiVo.

Reading?

Any Jane Austen, anywhere, anytime. I think I've read Pride and Prejudice a half dozen times, each time finding the elegance of her language simply captivating.

Right now, Gary Wills' Gettsburg: The Words that Remade America is a prrize winner for me.

Recently, the absolute pick o' the litter is Brunelleschi's Dome by Ross king on the half century it took the first genius of Renaissance architecture (and construction) to raise the dome of Santa Maria del Fiore over Florence. You might not think this would/could make for a gripping tale, but Trust Me!

Having received an 8 DVD set of the BBC's productions of Dickens works (a surprise gift for sending my hearing aid manufacturer an unsolicited testimonial on their astonishing,  new instruments!!!) I'm heading back to Bleak House and Our Mutual Friend (between hard covers!) for further enjoyment of the beauty of English.

Do I EVER get into the 20+ centuries, you inquire? Oh, sure. I enjoying a lot of present political discourse, but unwilling to run the risk of inflaming some of you, I won't mention my favorites.  And, for long flights though the Frienfly Skies, nothing can beat Tom Clancy and his deck of clones.

[kelly]

Finished 12 of the 13 Robert Crais Books.

Waiting for the newest one to be available.

Pretty good. Some were better than others.

[Jack W]

I'm reading "Desert Solitaire" by Edward Abbey for the third time.

Anybody that loves the desert southwest, solitude and nature beauty will love this one!

The story is about his first year as the first ranger, in the late 50's and early 60's, to reside in what is now Arches Narional Park.

Mr. Abbey is a strong conservationalist, which makes him ok with me!

Jack

[LR827]

Love the "No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" series by Alexander McCall Smith;

The copyright controversy about Dan Brown's "DaVinci Code" is interesting, because after reading his novel, I went to the references in the back of his book and then read  about 5 of them, including "Holy Blood, Holy Grail."  I never would have read that -- published about 25 years ago -- except for seeing the reference in Brown's novel.

I'm reading Garrison Keillor's "Lake Woebegon - Summer of 1956" right now.  Wonderful.

Here's a computer-themed mystery of sorts -- older, but interesting... 12 chapters available online:

"Tommy's Crackers"

[eric j]

I am reading a novel "These Foolish Things" by Deborah Moggach. She has written many, but this is her first for me.
It's about an old people's home established in Bangalore for Brits. Because labour there is cheaper old people can afford it more easily.
She provides a very insightful description of what happens as we age, how our world view changes etc. I am finding it fascinating.
She seems to know a lot about India-including call centres. Describes in one chapter how the operators are taught to speak with an English accent and give a typically Anglo-Saxon name - often derived from a well-known product, eg., "Parker".
Operators are often graduates. A lot of the time they are making sales calls. To attain a bonus they have to achieve an astronomical number of sales. One of the attractions of working there is the opportunity for both sexes to meet freely. Sounds plausible.
I recommend this book highly.
eric j

[kimmer]

QUOTE(kelly @ Mar 28 2006, 7:47 PM)

Finished 12 of the 13 Robert Crais Books.

kelly, you are most fortunate. Where did you find all his books?

I am half-way through my first Robert Crais,  "Demolition Angel". Most enjoyable, although I don't care for the main female character (it's my own hangups with smoking/drinking). I thought I had one thing figured out and then I hit the end of the first part and WHAM! I was way off.

QUOTE

Pretty good. Some were better than others.

Always the way.

QUOTE

The copyright controversy about Dan Brown's "DaVinci Code" is interesting, because after reading his novel, I went to the references in the back of his book and then read about 5 of them, including "Holy Blood, Holy Grail." I never would have read that -- published about 25 years ago -- except for seeing the reference in Brown's novel.

My reaction was the opposite of yours - I dumped his book in the trash and washed my hands. I only read this book when it first came out because friends said it was "so good". BAH! Piece of trash as far as I'm concerned. Not that I'm opinionated about it or anything.  

[LR827]

QUOTE(kimmer @ Mar 29 2006, 8:45 PM)

My reaction was the opposite of yours - I dumped his book in the trash and washed my hands. I only read this book when it first came out because friends said it was "so good". BAH! Piece of trash as far as I'm concerned. Not that I'm opinionated about it or anything.

Well, I didn't tell you that I liked it, did I?  I said:

QUOTE

The copyright controversy about Dan Brown's "DaVinci Code" is interesting, because after reading his novel, I went to the references in the back of his book and then read about 5 of them, including "Holy Blood, Holy Grail." I never would have read that -- published about 25 years ago -- except for seeing the reference in Brown's novel.

My reaction was to explore the research that Brown used to write his novel.  If this was a so-called "historical novel" then I want to know more about the "history" involved.  It affords more legitimacy to one's opinion, good or bad.

Actually, all of that aside, I wanted to make the point about the copyright suit.  Michael Baigent's book, "Holy Blood, Holy Grail" was cited as a reference in Brown's novel.  After reading the novel, I went out and bought Baigent's book to see for myself what "facts" he was basing his novel on.  I imagine there are others out there who did the same -- bought Baigent's book after reading Brown's.  And that would seem to be an accurate assumption, since Baigent's book -- published in 1982 -- is now back on the NYTimes bestseller list for non-fiction! ("DaVinci Code" is on the  bestseller-fiction list).

So, in effect, by "infringing" on Baigent's copyright, Brown helped send Baigent's book right back up the bestseller list!  Yet Baigent is suing him!  Isn't that funny!  Regardless of what you think about the novel, it is pretty ironic that Baigent would sue him.  Talk about "biting the hand that feeds you"!