Monday, October 26, 2020

The Keep, by F. Paul Wilson

  • Title:  The Keep
  • Author: F. Paul Wilson
  • Purchased from Amazon.com Kindle Edition
  • Started: 10/20/2020
  • Finished: 10/24/2020
This has been on my to-read list for years, but was never available at my local libraries.  However, during Amazon's prime days I bought a new kindle paperwhite which gave me $5 in kindle credit.  The Keep had dropped to $2.99 so I was able to get it for free.

Turns out to be seasonably appropriate, since it is a horror/adventure novel.  I enjoyed it, particularly the first half or so which is very good.  Got a bit dumber as the book went on, but still a fun read and I'd go through more of Wilson's books if they were available from the library.

One note about the paperwhite -- I bought it wanting something I could read in the sun since every other device I have is useless in direct light.  It works as advertised for that purpose, but I was shocked at how cheap it feels and how slow it is compared to even my original Kindle Fire (now 10 years old).  I'm happy with it for the price I paid on Prime Day, but still, really feels like a cheaply made device.

Thursday, October 22, 2020

Sweet Thursday, by John Steinbeck

  • Title:  Sweet Thursday
  • Author: John Steinbeck
  • Borrowed from Worcester County, MD Public Library (audiobook) and Fairfax County, VA, Public Library (Kindle Edition)
  • Started: 10/13/2020
  • Finished: 10/22/2020
This was a book club selection, and I liked it, but not having read Cannery Row the characters and their quirks were jarring at first.  Also did something I don't often do with this one and switched between audiobook and Kindle edition as I felt like listing or directly reading, respectively.  

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

The Turn of the Screw, by Henry James

Title: The Turn of the Screw
Author: Henry James
Borrowed from Worcester County MD Public Library eBook
Started: 10/17/2020
Finished: 10/20/2020

My wife and I read this one to each other.  Not a romantic book, but it is a good one. Lots of fun for this time of year.  I'm firmly in the "no ghosts" camp. 

Friday, October 16, 2020

Blue Moon, by Lee Child

Title: Blue Moon
Author: Lee Child
Borrowed from Worcester County MD Public Library Kindle Edition
Started:  10/11/2020
Finished: 10/16/2020

Another terrible Reacher novel, but stupidly enjoyable. 

Monday, October 12, 2020

The Letter of Marque, by Patrick O'Brian

  • Title:  The Letter of Marque
  • Author: Patrick O'Brian
  • Borrowed from Worcester County, MD Public Library Audiobook
  • Started: 10/9/2020
  • Finished: 10/12/2020
As a series the books are fantastic.  Individual books have big highs and a few have some lows.  This is one that I love a bit less than the others.  The first half or so is great, but the Steven/Diana stuff near the end is just a bit too much melodrama.  So still extremely enjoyable in the series, but as an individual entry not my favorite.

I didn't keep notes when I read this  in 2013 so I have no clue if I felt the same way back then.  

Sunday, October 11, 2020

Dead Eye, by Mark Greaney

Title: Dead Eye
Author: Mark Greaney
Borrowed from Fairfax County VA Public Library Kindle Edition
Started: 10/1/2020
Finished: 10/10/2020

Another stupid but fun Gray Man novel. 

Thursday, October 8, 2020

The Reverse of the Medal, by Patrick O'Brian

  • Title:  The Reverse of the Medal
  • Author: Patrick O'Brian
  • Borrowed from Worcester, MD Public Library Audiobook
  • Started: 10/2/2020
  • Finished: 10/8/2020
I absolutely love this series and it really hits its stride now.  The first time I read this one the scene where Jack is being put in pillory and all the sailors surround and cheer him -- it made me cry.  Knowing it was coming make it slightly less impactful, but it is still really moving.  

Thursday, October 1, 2020

The Far Side of the World, by Patrick O'Brian

  • Title:  The Far Side of the World
  • Author: Patrick O'Brian
  • Borrowed from Worcester County, MD Public Library Audiobook
  • Started: 9/29/2020
  • Finished: 10/1/2020
God these books are JUST SO GOOD.  I can't believe O'Brian as me rooting against the Americans in the War of 1812, but this is just an outstanding series, and an outstanding entry in said series.  Good, good stuff.