Tai-Pan, by James Clavell

• Title:  Tai-Pan
  
• Author:  James Clavell
  
• Borrowed from DC Public Library (AudioBook)
  
• Started: 10/23/2016
  
• Finished: 10/29/2016
  

My (very slow) reading of James Clavell's Asian-Saga continued with Tai-Pan, having read Shogun almost exactly one year ago.  I am reading them in chronological order, not publication order, somewhat on accident (but happy accident).

This is a big book, something like 25 hours and change. Normally I could not have consumed such a big book in a week, but I was struck with a cold on Monday, and home from work Tuesday and Wednesday.  I was in bad shape, on a rotation of something like 6 hours sleeping, two hours awake -- round the clock for 48 hours.  During those waking moments, I was listening to this book.  

Like Shogun, I wasn't sure as I first started if I could get into this one.  I was helped (ironically?) by the Flashman series, as one of the recent books I read there took place in China around the same time.  Thus I has a better understanding of the geo-political situation in the area at the time (say what you want about the Flashman series, they are great historical overviews of the 19th century British empire).

Soon I was completely taken in by the story and the characters.  A very enjoyable read.

The Girl with all the Gifts, by M R Carey

Title: The Girl with all the Gifts
Author: M R Carey
Borrowed from DC Public Library Audiobook
Started: 10/17/2016
Finished: 10/23/2016

A recommendation from a neighbor, this was not a bad book, entertaining really, but the plot was so by-the-numbers that it was easy to guess the outcome.  So-so overall enjoyment.

My Antonia, by Willa Cather

Title: My Antonia
Author: Willa Cather
Borrowed from take one leave one library on 13th st NW in DC
Started: 10/13/2016
Finished: 10/21/2016

My moms favorite book. First time reading g.  Very enjoyable. 

Flashman and the Mountain of Light, by George MacDonald Fraser

• Title:  Flashman and the Mountain of Light
  
• Author:  George MacDonald Fraser
  
• Borrowed from Fairfax, VA Public Library (AudioBook)
  
• Started: 10/10/2016
  
• Finished: 10/17/2016
  

Another fine entry in the Flashman Paper series.  I'm enjoying my schooling in the world  of British Colonial engagements in the 19th Century (and some American to boot).  Good Old Flashy.

Echo Burning, by Lee Child

• Title:  Echo Burning
  
• Author:  Lee Child
  
• Borrowed from Worcester, MD Public Library (Kindle Edition)
  
• Started: 10/9/2016
  
• Finished: 19/12/2016
  

Another in the Jack Reacher series, these are seriously terrible books (as I've mentioned before) that I am strangely addicted to...  I'm not going to fight it, or try to explain it.

The Far Side of the Dollar, by Ross MacDonald

Title:. The Far Side of the Dollar
Author: Ross MacDonald
Borrowed from Fairfax County VA Public Library (Audiobook)
Started: 10/5/2016
Finished: 10/9/2016

Continuing my in order reading of the Lew Archer series.  I technically skipped one (The Chill) because I just read it last summer, although I think it was my favorite in the series so I wouldn't have minded reading it again. 

This one was good too, not The Chill good, but entertaining and you get a lot of usually unseen emotions from Archer.  He might even be in love.  Good stuff.

The Zebra-Striped Hearse, by Ross MacDonald

Title: The Zebra-Striped Hearse
Author:. Ross MacDonald
Purchased used from Amazon (print) in a three book collection titled "Archer in Jeopardy"
Started:  9/29/2016
Finished: 10/7/2016

Another Lew Archer mystery.  I liked this one a lot, although I don't care for the title.  The Lew Archer series has some perfect titles ("the way some people die" for instance), but this o e is very weak.

Luckily the mystery and writing are strong, very enjoyable. 

Flashman and the Dragon, by George MacDonald Fraser

• Title: Flashman and the Dragon
• Author: George MacDonald Fraser
  
• Borrowed from Fairfax County (VA) Public Library (AudioBook)
• Started: 9/27/2016
• Finished: 10/5/2016

Another book in the Flashman Papers series (book 8?), I admit I had a rough time with this one at the start.  A little bit of zone-out, despite the always excellent narration by David Case.

Eventually I found my way back and began to thoroughly enjoy the historical antics of Flashy.  This was another novel, like Flashman at the Charge, where Flashy is more heroic and less cowardly than usual.  While I prefer the more scoundrel Flash, this was still a fun book.