Salvation of a Saint, by Keigo Higashino

Title: Salvation of a Saint
Author: Keigo Higashino
Borrowed from dc public library (audiobook)
Started: 3/16/2015
Finished: 3/22/2015

Another book in the detective Galileo series by my new favorite Japanese crime writer. I liked this one, but not as much as the previous book in this series that was amazing (devotion of suspect x).

Conspirata, by Robert Harris

Title: Conspirata
Author: Robert Harris
Borrowed from DC public (kindle book)
Started: 3/10/2015
Finished: 3/20/2015

Roman Empire-fest continues for me with the second of the Robert Harris trilogy on Cicero. I liked this one quite a bit, even though it took me a while to get through. Looking forward to finishing this series, but taking a short break with yet another book about Spartacus up next.

Death Without Company, by Craig Johnson

Title: Death Without Company
Author: Craig Johnson
Borrowed from Worcester County (MD) public library (audiobook)
Started: 3/11/2015
Finished: 3/15/2015

The second Longmire book. Not nearly as good as the first, but still an enjoyable read. Will take a break from the series for a few books before continuing.

Train Dreams, by Denis Johnson

• Title:  Train Dreams
• Author:  Denis Johnson
• Borrowed from Worcester County (MD) Public Library (Audiobook)
• Started: 3/9/2015
• Finished:  3/10/2015

 
This was a short work, a novella, and took just a couple of hours to read/listen to.  I have to admit I had not heard of Johnson, and it was by title alone that I decided to borrow this one.  Well I'm glad I did, what a wonderful story, powerful, and very different from the usual (crap?) I read.  A short work that will stay with me for quite some time, I'm certain.

Spartacus, by Howard Fast

• Title:  Spartacus
• Author:  Howard Fast
• Borrowed from DC Public Library (Kindle Edition)
• Started: 3/3/2015
• Finished:  3/9/2015

 
My Roman historical fiction fetish continues with Spartacus, by Howard Fast.  As I mentioned in my last post I've had a really good run of books so far in 2015, and Spartacus continues that trend.  I can't get over what a great book this was, despite barely telling the story of Spartacus, his rise, an the battles fought.  The book bounced around between voices, stories, time, and it was just so good.  It is no wonder it was made into a movie not long after it came out, and I like the movie.  But the movie is nothing compared to this extremely readable, enjoyable book.

The Cold Dish, by Craig Johnson

• Title:  The Cold Dish
• Author:  Craig Johnson
• Borrowed from MD Worcester Public Library (AudioBook)
• Started: 3/2/2015
• Finished: 3/8/2015 

 
A quick preface:  Until this entry, all of the audiobooks I've listened to that have been noted on this blog were downloaded through "Overdrive."  This book marks the first "OneClickdigitial" book I've listened to, which is offered by Worcester County public library (they also offer Overdrive).  I had just about given up on finding anything of interest on OneClickdigital, until I noticed they had the Longmire series.
 
I'm a late-comer to the Longmire books, having only discovered the Wyoming sheriff after watching the A&E tv series.  I knew they were based on books, and I liked the TV show, but I wasn't sure I liked it enough to bother with the books.
 
Well as I mentioned in the preface, I wasn't finding much of interest on the OneClickdigital page provided by my library, until I saw they had several Longmire books.  I figured out which was the first in the series (The Cold Dish), download it, and was hooked. 
 
Look, the TV is great and all, but wow, the book?  Incredible.  And much as Michael Prchard is Archie Goodwin (and Nero Wolfe), and Simon Vance is jack Aubrey (and Stephen Maturin), this book was read by George Guidall and by god he is Walt Longmire.  The reading of this book is an incredible performance. 
 
I've had a good run of really enjoyable books in 2015, and this is one of the most enjoyable so far.
 

Imperium, by Robert Harris

• Title: Imperium
• Author:  Robert Harris
• Borrowed from Worcester County MD Public Library (Kindle Book)
• Started: 2/16/2015
• Finished:  3/2/2015 

 
I finally finished the TV series Spartacus recently (my sister calls it "Spartacus:  Porn and More Porn") and it put me in the mood for some fun Roman historical fiction.  I'd been wanting to start the Robert Harris Cicero trilogy and I figured what better place to start than the fall of Spartacus?  Very much enjoyed the book, and as I approached the end I stayed up later than intended this past Sunday night.  Rarely do I let a book allow me to lose sleep on a Sunday night, but this time I did.
 
As it turns out, the second book in the trilogy isn't available for download by my library yet (sorry Mr. Harris, no royalties from me), so I'm reversing course and about to start the Howard Fast novel, Spartacus, on which the Kirk Douglas movie was based.

One Came Home, by Amy Timberlake

• Title:  One Came Home
• Author:  Amy Timberlake
• Borrowed from Worcester County Public Library (Ocean City, MD) -- AudioBook
• Started: 2/26/2015
• Finished: 3/1/2015

 
I don't read many young adult books (this one is recommended for grades 5-8!), but I was desperate for a new book and needed on ASAP, and the description of One Came Home sounded interesting enough.  Sort of a toned down version of "True Grit" and "The Searchers."
 
It was pretty good, story kept me entertained through my workouts.  Ending dragged a bit, especially after the conflict had been resolved. 

The Return, by Hakan Nesser

• Title:  The Return
• Author:  Hakan Nesser
• Borrowed from DC Public (AudioBook)
• Started: 2/19/2015
• Finished:  2/25/2015

 
Another Inspector Van Veetren mystery, my least favorite so far.  While plot is never my biggest concern when reading mysteries (it's all about the characters), this one is too farfetched, even for me.  Still enjoy these characters, but the book wasn't great otherwise.

The Devotion of Suspect X, by Keigo Higashino

•  Title:  The Devotion of Suspect X
• Author:  Keigo Higashino
• Borrowed from DC Public (Audiobook)
• Started: 2/14/2015
• Finished:  2/18/2015

 
I'm blowing through audiobooks these days.  When you factor in an hour at the gym in the morning, and then 30 minutes or so walking to/from the office, I'm racking up the books. 
 
Anyway, this book is by the same author of the book "Malice" I just listed to a couple of weeks ago, and I think I like this one even more than Malice (and I loved Malice).  These are great "I know who did it" mysteries, where there are so many plot twists and turns, very fun.  I could read these all day.

A Battle Won, by S. Thomas Russell

Title: A Battle Won
Author: S. Thomas Russell
Borrowed from: DC public kindle book
Started: 2/5/2015
Finished: 2/15/15

The second in the Captain Hayden/Themis series, entertaining enough. But I'm not sure how much more of these I can read, as it is a constant "perfect man beaten down constantly by those around him" thing, to the point that it is comical and unappealing. Will take a break and see if it seems worth coming back to the series.

An Inquiry into Love and Death, by Simone St. James

• Title:  An Inquiry into Love and Death
• Author:  Simone St. James
• Borrowed from DC Public (Audiobook)
• Started:  2/6/2015
• Finished: 2/13/2015 

 
Recommended to me on my public library audiobook account, I took a chance on this period piece love/ghost story.  I wasn't crazy about the ending, but overall the book was enjoyable.  I would have preferred a little more ghost, and maybe not the "surprise" Nazi bad guys, but overall an enjoyable book.

Station Eleven, by Emily St. John Mandel

• Title:  Station Eleven
• Author:  Emily St. John Mandel
• Borrowed from DC Public (Kindle Book)
• Started:  1/20/2015
• Finished:  2/4/2015 

 
Shortly after I finished "The 39 Steps" I started reading "Abominable" by Dan Simmons.  Made it more than halfway through that novel before I had to admit I wasn't enjoying it, and shouldn't torture myself just because I hate to leave a book half-read.
 
So I move onto the book for this post, "Station Eleven."  A post-apocalyptic novel, but not like any I'd ever read.  This wasn't the struggle for survival with roving bands of outlaws.  Told through several voices, going between past (pre-flu) and present (post-flu) it was a strangely enchanting book.  Not sure how else to put it, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Borkmann's Point, by Håkan Nesser

Title: Borkmann's Point

Author: Håkan Nesser

Borrowed from DCPublic (audiobook)

Started: 2/2/2015

Finished: 2/5/2015

I thought "Minds Eye" which I read recently was the first of the Inspector Van Veeteren mysteries, but it turns out it was the third. This book was the first. Very much enjoying this series, although the murderer was pretty easy to guess early on, the motive was not.  

Malice, by Keigo Higashino

• Title:  Malice
• Author:  Keigo Higashino
• Borrowed from DC Public (AudioBook)
• Started: 1/28/2015
• Finished:  2/1/2015

 
I read about this book in the WSJ several months back and thought it sounded interesting.  "Keigo Higashino combines Dostoyevskian psychological realism with classic detective-story puzzles reminiscent of Agatha Christie..."
 
I'd like to pretend I understand exactly what that review meant months ago, but it was only after devouring the book that I feel up to speed.  When I first started listening I was so put off by the reader's voice that I almost quit.  I'm glad I stuck it out, once the reader switched from the first narrator to the second, I began to appreciate how the book was being read.  That's hard to explain unless you listen to it, of course, but I digress.
 
This book was fantastic, an excellent mystery.

Murder on the Orient Express, by Agatha Christie

• Title:  Murder on the Orient Express
• Author:  Agatha Christie
• Borrowed from DC Public (Audiobook)
• Started: 1/22/2015
• Finished:  1/27/2015 

 
The most famous mystery by Christie?  Poirot's most impressive deduction using his little grey cells?  I've seen ever film and tv version of this story (including the first porn to ever grace my adolescent eyes, "Lust on the Orient Express" -- a classic!), and have enjoyed them all.  But until recently I had not read any of Christie's works, and only now have finally read MotOE.
 
I can see now why this work is so famous.  Even having the ending spoiled by all the film adaptations, the book is a masterpiece.  I can't imagine what it must have been like when first published, with the big reveal.  What a great read.

Under Enemy Colors, by S. Thomas Russell

• Title:  Under Enemy Colors
• Author:  S. Thomas Russell
• Borrowed from DC Public (AudioBook)
• Started:  1/15/2015
• Finished:  1/21/2015

 
I think maybe, initially, I didn't want to like this one.  It was read by (a surprise to me), Simon Vance, whom I've praised repeatedly in this blog.  This one was read wonderfully as well, but I was taken aback to hear Vance's characters/voice on a work so similar to the Aubrey/Maturin novels. 
 
While much less literary than those Master & Commander books, Under Enemy Colors was exciting and enjoyable all the same.  So my initial reluctance was won over, for the most part, by a very enjoyable book.

Mind's Eye, by Hakan Nesser

• Title:  Mind's Eye
• Author:  Hakan Nesser
• Borrowed from DC Public (Audiobook)
• Started: 1/7/2015
• Finished: 1/14/2015 

 
I think I was predisposed to like this one, having been wanting to read it for a while.  So even though the plot was pretty easy to figure out from the start, the characters are entertaining, the book is very well written, and, well, I liked it.

The 39 Steps, by John Buchan

• Title:  The 39 Steps
• Author:  John Buchan 
• Borrowed From DC Public (EPub)
• Started: 1/5/2015
• Finished: 1/6/2015

 
Needed a quick, free public library read and opted for this mystery/thriller.  It was a very fast, easy read.  Fun enough, but forgettable. 

Might as well be Dead, by Rex Stout

• Title:  Might as well be Dead
• Author:  Rex Stout
• Borrowed from DC Public (Audiobook)
• Started:  12/29/2014
• Finished: 1/6/2015

 
Another Nero Wolfe book, as I've mentioned before I really enjoy listening to these.  But I need a break of a couple of books between each.  Listening to two in a row, as I did hear, I find myself weary of the characters.  But just a short break between listens and these are entertaining again.

Heart-Shaped Box, by Joe Hill

• Title:   Heart-Shaped Box
• Author:  Joe Hill
• Borrowed from DC Public Library (Kindle Edition)
• Started: 1/2/2015
• Finished: 1/5/2015

 
I think this was Hill's first novel, I liked it well enough.  Again I preferred the first half or so and felt that it fell apart in the second half.  But an enjoyable and quick horror read.

The Woman in Black, by Susan Hill

•  Title:  The Woman in Black
• Author:  Susan Hill
• Borrowed from DC Public (Kindle Edition)
• Started:  12/28/2014
• Finished:  1/1/2015

 
 
First book of 2015?  I started it in 2014 but technically finished in 2015.  Very enjoyable but short book, followed up by watching the movie a day or two later.  Both were scary, book was better by far, but I did enjoy the atmosphere in both.

Horns, by Joe Hill

• Title:  Horns
• Author:  Joe Hill
• Borrowed from DC Public (Kindle Edition)
• Started: 12/14/2014
• Finished:  12/26/2014

 
Liked, but didn't love, this one from Joe Hill.  The opening was fantastic, first third or so of the book was really enjoyable.  But it sort of fell apart for me in the second two thirds.  Still looking for a good, scary book, to satisfy my craving...

If Death Ever Slept, by Rex Stout

• Title:  If Death Ever Slept
• Author:  Rex Stout
• Borrowed from DC Public (Audiobook)
• Started:  12/18/2014
• Finished:  12/28/2014 

 
After a few weeks or so without steady exercise due to a home purchase and move, I started back to it over my lunch hour and needed a reliable audiobook to keep me going on the treadmill.  So I picked up (roughly) where I left off in the Nero Wolfe series.  Another reliable, enjoyable, easy to listen to mystery read so expertly by Michael Prichard (who I just learned has also read the complete Travis McGee series... that might be my next book line-up).

Thirteen, by Richard K Morgan

• Title:  Thirteen
• Author: Richard K Morgan
• Borrowed from DC Public Library (Audiobook)
• Started:  11/10/2014
• Finished:  12/17/2014 

 
This was a mammoth audiobook, something like 22 hours.  Took me a long time to get through, and now it feels like there were dozens of smaller novels in there.  I liked it, overall, something of a Blade Runner feel to it, coupled with Total Recall and a few other Sci-Fi movies for good measure. 

20th Century Ghosts, by Joe Hill

• Title:  20th Century Ghosts
• Author:  Joe Hill
• Borrowed from DC Public Library (Kindle Edition)
• Started: 12/1/2014
• Finished:  12/12/2014

 
Was in the mood for some ghost stories and this one was available via my libraries overdrive system.  Not particularly scary, save the first story, but entertaining enough to keep me reading most nights.

Rendezvous with Rama, by Arthur C Clarke

• Title:  Rendezvous with Rama
• Author:  Arthur C Clarke
• Borrowed from DC Public Library (Kindle Edition)
• Started: 11/1/2014
• Finished:  11/30/2014

 
Playing fast & loose with the dates, but it was somewhere in there.  Very enjoyable old scifi read.

Ten Thousand Islands, by Randy Wayne White

• Title: Ten Thousand Islands
• Author:  Randy Wayne White
• Borrowed from a friend
• Started: ??.??.2014
• Finished: 10/25/2014

 
Friend lent this one to me, the first of the Doc Ford novels.  I thought it was ok, but not great.  Updated Travis McGee, but I like the original McGee better...

The Plague Forge, by Jasom Hough

• Title:  The Plague Forge
• Author:  Jason Hough
• Borrowed from DC Public (audiobook)
• Started:  ??/??/2014
• Finished:  10/29/2014

 
I've barely been reading but I'm still behind in these updates.  This was the final book of the Dire Earth Cycle.  First two were very enjoyable, but this third book was a let down.  I had a feeling when I barely had anything left in the book but the reasonf or the plague still had not been disclosed.  When it finally was explained, it was not satisfying.
 
 

The Exodus Towers, by Jason Hough

• Title:  The Exodus Towers
• Author: Jason Hough
• Borrowed from DC Public Library (Audiobook)
• Started:  7/19/2014
• Finished:  9/25/2014

 
Book two of the "Dire Earth" trilogy, these are very fun post-apacalyptic space novels.  Somewhat soap-opray, I don't care, they're entertaining and fun.  Took me a while to get through this one though, because I stopped listening (and reding) for a while when I went on vacation and then came back.  Had a month or two break in reading, back to it (slowly) now.

Open Season, by Archer Mayor

Title: Open Season
Author: Archer Mayor
Borrowed from Kindle Lending Library
Started: 7/6/2014
Finished: 7/18/2014

First book in the Joe Gunther mystery series. Not bad, some of it was very good. But it's not great or polished. Shows promise, might try the second book eventually.

The Tiger's Wife, by Téa Obreht

Title: The Tiger's Wife
Author: Téa Obreht
Borrowed from DC Public Library (audiobook)
Started: 7/3/2014
Finished: 7/18/2014


This was a recommendation from a coworker, and a good one at that. Very enjoyable book, ending was a bit abrupt, but that's a minor criticism for a book like this I really enjoyed.

Eternity Road, by Jack McDevitt

• Title:  Eternity Road
• Author:  Jack McDevitt
• Borrowed from DC Public Library (Kindle Book)
• Started:  6/20/2014
• Finished:  7/5/2014

 
Another post-apocalyptic novel, ok but not great.

The Darwin Elevator, by Jason Hough

• Title:  The Darwin Elevator
• Author:  Jason Hough
• Borrowed from DC Public Library (Audiobook)
• Started: 6/16/2014
• Finished:  7/2/2014

 
I found this one, as I have found a few others, by checking what audiobooks my library offers that have been ready by Simon Vance (whom I've often praised here for his reading of the Aubrey/Maturin/Master & Commander series).  Anyway, I had seen Darwin Elevator on the library site for a long time, but avoided it because of the extremely cheesy book cover.
 
Well, you know the old saying.  While this isn't a masterpiece, it is a very fun space/sci fi/action story, the first of 3 (I believe) in a series.  The book was written well enough (and read great as always by Vance), to keep me interested in moving on to the next book in the series.

Before Midnight, by Rex Stout

• Title:  Before Midnight
• Author:  Rex Stout
• Borrowed from DC Public (Audiobook)
• Started:  6/10/2014
• Finished:  6/15/2014

 
 
Forgot to post this one a couple of weeks ago, guessing on the dates I listened to the book.  Solid Nero Wolfe book, but nothing special.

Influx, by Daniel Suarez

• Title:  Influx
• Author:  Daniel Suarez
• Borrowed from DC Public (Kindle Book)
• Started:  5/2/2014
• Finished:  6/15/2014

 
WSJ book review turned me onto this one, but I was pretty disappointed.  While the overall plot wasn't bad, and the opening chapter was pretty good, the book quickly took a wrong turn.  The dialog, in particular, was terrible.  I would have thought this a first time novel, but Amazon tells me otherwise.

The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, by Robert Heinlein

• Title:  The Moon is a Harsh Mistresss
• Author:  Robert Heinlein
• Borrowed from (I suspect) DC Public Library (Audiobook -- for certain)
• Started:  2013?
• Finished:  2013?

 
Was positive I had already read this one, but didn't see it on this site, so I borrowed the audiobook from the library this morning and started to play it when I immediately knew I had in fact already read/listened to it.  I could recall the entire plot, and the great enjoyment I had listening to this one.
 
I turned it off immedatiately (had another book downloaded already) and thought I better post this so I don't forget again.  Too bad too, this might have been enough to put me over 60 books for 2013, had I remembered to post it...
 

The Black Mountain, by Rex Stount

• Title:  The Black Mountain
• Author:  Rex Stout
• Borrowed from DC Public Library (Audiobook)
• Started:  6/2/2014
• Finished:  6/9/2014

 
Not a great Nero Wolfe book, one for fans of the detective only.  I'm a fan, but still struggled to get through this one.

Have Spacesuit - Will Travel, by Robert Heinlein

• Title:  Have Spacesuit - Will Travel
• Author:  Robert Heinlein
• Borrowed from DC Public Library (audiobook)
• Started: 5/24/2014
• Finished:  6/1/2014

 
I wouldn't say I'm totally out of my reading-rut, but I'm on the right track.  Reading printed words still isn't quite there for me, but I've been exercising regularly again which means listening to audiobooks on a regular basis as well.  Have Spacesuit - Will Travel was an overall enjoyable listen, but I wonder if I'd have made it through the book in printed form.  Really need to find a good book or series to hold my interest in print again.

Curtains for Three, by Rex Stout

• Title:  Curtains for Three
• Author:  Rex Stout
• Borrowed from DC Public Library (AudioBook)
• Started: 05/19/2013
• Finished:  5/23/2013

 
Another Nero Wolfe novel, this time made up of three short stories.  These were all pretty good, standard Wolfe novels.  The usual characters, but reasonably satisfying.  This volume did have hard chapter ends (abrupt), moreso than others that I've ready (dozens by now?), at least that I can remember.  But still an enjoyable way to pass the time.

Started Early, Took my Dog, by Kate Atkinson

• Title:  Started Early, Took my Dog
• Author:  Kate Atkinson
• Borrowed from DC Public Library (AudioBook)
• Started:  April (??) 2014
• Finished:  May 16, 2014

 
After a good start to the year reading and listening to books, I hit a slow patch for the last several months.  Just one book since March???
 
Anyway, the final book in the Jackson Brodie series (so far), enjoyed this one just like the last one.  Second in the series stands as the only disappointment.

When Will There Be Good News, by Kate Atkinson

• Title:  When Will There Be Good News
• Author:  Kate Atkinson
• Borrowed from DC Public (Audiobook)
• Started:  3/20/2014
• Finished:  3/29/2014

 
[REMINDER, I OFTEN USE SPOILERS!]
 
My devouring of the Jackson Brodie series continues.  To racap, I loved the first (case histories), disliked the second, and now I've finished the third which is also very good.  Atkinson loves coincidences, so if those bother you in novels skip these books.  But the interweaving of story lines and characters is done very well, for an extremely satisfying read.
 
Having just said that, this book went just a bit too far in two specific instances.  I thought the very small sub-plot with Brodie being swindled of his money by his wife just too much beyond belief.  I also was bothered by the coincidence of having Brodie be the searches who found Joanna 30 or so years ago. 
 
Still, a very enjoyable read, and a good comeback from what I thought was a terrible second novel.

The Martian, by Andy Weir

• Title:  The Martian
• Author:  Andy Weir
• Borrowed from DC Public (e-Book)
• Started: 3/19/2014
• Finished:  3/23/2014

 
I loved this book.  Getting that out of the way first so there is no confusion on where I stand.  This book was wonderful.  It doesn't sound like it would be (from the review that first turned me onto this book in the WSJ, Feb 2014, "there's a lot of fascinating arithmetic [in the book]"), math?  I have to do math while I read the book?
 
But no math is required, our hero does the math for us, and makes us (me, anyway) feel that I could have figured some of these problems out on my own as well (I couldn't).   As to our hero -- somehow you keep forgetting he's the best of the best to have been selected for such a mission in the first place, because he is so grounded, self-effacing, funny.
 
But really, how could anyone fail to love a book about surviving being stranged on Mars that includes the following line as an FU to NASA when they tell him to watch his language over email as it is all being disclosed to the public:
 
"Look a pair of boobs! (. Y .)"

MaddAddam, by Margaret Atwood

• Title: MaddAddam
• Author: Margaret Atwood
• Borrowed from DC Public (AudioBook)
• Started:  2/27/2014
• Finished:  3/19/2014

 
Can't believe it has been almost 4 years since I read the first two books in this trilogy, I recall I liked the first but not the second, found the third to be pretty calm and enjoyable.  Atwood certainly knows how to write about the end of the world/dystopain future, though to be fair this one ends on a (potentially) hopeful note.

One Good Turn, by Kate Atkinson

• Title:  One Good Turn
• Author:  Kate Atkinson
• Borrowed from Worcester County Public Library (Kindle Book)
• Started: 3/10/2014
• Finished: 3/18/2014

 
This is the second of the "Jackson Brodie" books, I loved the first (Case Histories) but this one was pretty weak.  A page turner, but the mystery (mysteries) and overall feel were off for me this time.  I'll keep at the series though, the first book was too good, worth another read.

Mercury Falls, by Robert Kroese

• Title:  Mercury Falls

• Author:  Robert Kroese
• Borrowed via Amazon's Lending Library
• Started: 2/27/2014
• Finished: 3/9/2014

 
Scanning for something to read while waiting for a few holds at the library to come through, I opted for Mercury Falls by Kroese.  I didn't know anything about the book or author besides a brief blurb on my Kindle book search.
 
Overall I enjoyed the book, didn't love it and have no plans to continue the series, but that's not to say this isn't a nice enough read.  A bit too jokey for me, I see some compare Kroese's style to Douglas Adams, but I'd say it is closer to an even more light-hearted Gregory McDonald Fletch book. 
 
I always try to avoid reviews when I'm reading a book, then take them in when finished.  When I checked the Amazon reviews I see that the author got into a back & forth with a negative reviewer (never a good idea), but I can understand the tempation when  someone is knocking your hard work.
 

That Uncertain Feeling, by Kingsley Amis

• Title:  That Uncertain Feeling
• Author:  Kingsley Amis
• Purchased Used on Amazon.com
• Started:  2/15/2014
• Finished: 2/26/2014

 
Being a librarian in my professional life, at some point I must have decided to read books where the protagonist was a librarian. Years ago I heard abou the book I'm discussing in this post, and when I couldn't easily locate it, I lost interest.
 
Well a few months ago while flipping through the channels waiting for my wife to get ready before we headed out, an old Peter Sellers movie was starting.  That movie was called "Only Two Can Play" and while I only caught a few minutes, it opened with a great quote from Emerson ("It is not observed that Librarians are wiser men than others") and was very entertaining.  At least the 20 mins or so I watched.
 
When researching  the moving "only two can play" I discovered it was based on the book I'm discussing, "That Uncertain Feeling" so I decided to just buy the damn book and read it.
 
I liked liked some of it, and disliked other parts.  I found the first half of the book very enjoyable.  Funny, smart, entertaining.  It reminded me to the Updike Rabbit books.  But then it devolved, in my opinion, and was quickly wrapped up with a somewhat lame ending.
 
So much for librarian books, I suppose...

Case Histories, by Kate Atkinson

• Title:  Case Histories
• Author:  Kate Atkinson
• Borrowed from DC Library (Audiobook)
• Started: 2/18/2014
• Finished:  2/26/2014

 
A recommendation by a coworker, I really, thoroughly, enjoyed this mystery.  The start of a series involving PI Jackson Brodie, the story & wrting in this one really grabbed me.  Will definitely pick up others in this series.

The Inventor and the Tycoon: A Gilded Age Murder and the Birth of Moving Pictures, by Edward Ball

• Title:  The Inventor and the Tycoon: A Gilded Age Murder and the Birth of Moving Pictures
• Author:  Edward Ball
• Borrowed from DC Public Library (Audiobook)
• Started: 2/13/2014
• Finished:  2/17/2014

My wife and I had a five day weekend over this period due to our taking Friday off, Monday as President's day, and a favorably timed snow storm on Thursday that closed down our offices.  Favorably not just because it was 5 days off, but because we had a big-ish home improvement project that ended up taking almost every waking hour of that 5 day period.

To kill the time when we were not being too noisy and/or not listening to Pandora, we would put this book on for an hour or two at a time.  It was pretty enjoyable, and while it mostly focused on the photographer (murderer), the rain tycoon part was probably even more interesting to us.  All in all a great book for a long and sometimes tedious DIY project.

21: The Unfinished Voyage of Jack Aubrey

• Title:  21: The Unfinished Voyage of Jack Aubrey
• Author:  Patrick O'Brian
• Borrowed from DC Public Library (Audiobook)
• Started 2/1/2014
• Finished 2/1/2014

I'm way somewhat behind in posting updates so I'm going to blow through a few quickly.  I won't dwell on the end of the Aubrey/Maturing (aka Master & Commander) series, I've done enough of that in the past.  But the little bit of unfinished manuscript that is the 21st book shows that I would have likely loved this one as much as the others, had O'Brian survived to finish it.