Flashman's Lady, by George MacDonald Fraser

• Title:  Flashman's Lady
• Author:  George MacDonald Fraser
• Purchased Used on Amazon.com (print edition)
• Started: 6/18/2017
• Finished: 6/28/2017

This was my final Flashman novel.  When I first started this series I hated Flashy and couldn't believe anyone liked these books (I started with what I think was the worst, Royal Flash).  Now, I couldn't love them more and hate that I've finished the series.

I only read a few of them (like this one) in print, most were audiobooks.  I might go back and read the print versions because, while the audiobooks are fantastic (David Case gives the perfect voice to Flashy), you lose the footnotes.  I also don't know if any other books feature extracts of Elspeth's diary -- if they do then I missed out by listening to the audiobook version.

This was probably my second least favorite Flashman novel, but it was still a great read.  I might start the series over again before the end of the year, I loved them that much.

The Sentinel, by Jeffrey Konvitz

• Title:  The Sentinel
• Author:  Jeffrey Konvitz
• Borrowed from Hoopla (AudioBook)
• Started 6/26/2017
• Finished: 6/29/2017

This was terrible.  I imagine it was a reasonably good book in the 70s when written, riding the tide of Rosemary's Baby and The Exorcist.  But damn, it did not age well ("oh no, vile lesbians!") and the whole book is just so hokey and not scary.  But Konvitz clearly hit the Catholic-horror note at the right time and made a bundle off this piece of crap and the subsequent movie (movie is better than book, rare occurrence).

I hate to bag on Hoopla too, because I love that service for TV and Movies from the public library.  But for audiobooks on an android device -- forget it.  Way too much bizarre skipping and issues with playback.  Very frustrating.

The Murders in the Rue Morgue and Other Stories, by Edgar Alan Poe

• Title:  The Murders in the Rue Morgue
• Author:  Edgar Alan Poe
  
• Borrowed from DC Public Library Audiobook
  
• Started: 6/24/2017
  
• Finished: 6/26/2017
  

Several Poe tales, enjoyable, particularly David Case's narration.

Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott

Title: Little Women

Author: Louisa May Alcott

Borrowed from Fairfax county public library Audiobook

Started: 6/20/2017

Finished: 6/23/2017

I've always wondered about this book and finally gave it a try.  Pretty damn good, obvious why it is a classic.  A bit preachy sometimes, but I barely noticed.  I was sucked in immediately and found myself smiling or tearing up with each chapter. I'm an old softy. 

The book I listened to was book 1 in the series, ending with the proposal to Me one year after the start of the book.  I understand subsequent volumes go through the adult lives, but I might stop here. Almost too perfect to carry on. 

Missing Person, by Patrick Modiano

Title: Missing Person

Author: Patrick Modiano

Borrowed from Fairfax county public library Audiobook

Started: 6/16/2017

Finished: 6/20/2017

Been waiting to read this one for a few years.  Audiobook narrator was terrible, but I'm not sure I can blame.him for my lack of appreciation.  I struggled with this one, didn't really like it.  But Modiano won the Nobel prize for literature, so what the hell do I know?

The Vanishing, by Tim Krabbe

Title: The Vanishing

Author: Tim Krabbe

Purchased used on Amazon.com in print

Started: 6/17/2017

Finished: 6/17/2017

More of a short story than a book, but very enjoyable.  Read it on a beautiful day at the beach in about 90 mins.  Never saw either movie but had a rough idea of the plot from when the movie's we're released.  

The Lost City of Z, by David Grann

Title: The Lost City of Z

Author: David Grann

Borrowed from Little Library in Ocean City MD (print)

Started: 6/4/2017

Finished: 6/16/2017

I enjoyed this one, similar to Lost City of the Monkey God.  I liked that one better, but this was good too. 

Three Jack Reacher Novellas: Deep Down, Second Son, High Heat, by Lee Child, by Lee Child

Title: Three Jack Reacher Novellas: Deep Down, Second Son, High Heat

Author: Lee Child

Borrowed from DC Public Library Audiobook

Started: 6/11/2017

Finished: 6/13/2017

Punishing myself with more Reacher. 

Doctor Sleep, by Steven King

• Title:  Doctor Sleep
• Author:  Steven King
• Borrowed from Fairfax County Public Library, Audiobook
• Started: 6/1/2017
• Finished: 6/11/2017

First King book I've ready since I was a teen, a long time ago.  Didn't love this, but I'm honestly not sure I ever really loved any of his books.  I liked them all, as far as I can remember, but never loved them.  I did read the Shining, so I knew what this picking up from.

Decent enough, but not scary.  King addresses this (at least in the audiobook version) saying nothing can ever seem as scary as your memory of the original scare.

I'll just throw in one more note -- just cannot get enough of Will Patton's narration.  That guy has a real gift for narration & performance of audiobooks.

Cork Dork, by Bianca Bosker

Title: Cork Dork

Author: Bianca Bosket

Purchased from Amazon Kindle Edition

Started: 5/25/2017

Finished: 6/4/2017

Book club book, struggled with this one, did not enjoy.