The Archer Files, by Ross MacDonald

• Title:  The Archer Files (complete short stories of Lew Archer)
  
• Author:  Ross MacDonald
  
• Purchased Used on Amazon.com (print)
  
• Started:  8/26/2016
  
• Finished: 9/5/2016
  

This was an interesting, if not excellent, collection of stories.  They all read a rough drafts/outlines for later novels.  Some of them clearly are, you can see the outline of two stories clearly (The Doomsters, and The Ivory Grin), but bits a pieces from other stories are throughout.

Archer is a lot tougher in these (kills several people), and they're not anywhere near as polished as the novels.  Still, these made for fun occasional reading at night before bed.

It's been Lew Archer all the time for me.  Going to take a break and read a few other books before coming back to my favorite detective.

The Wycherly Woman, by Ross MacDonald

• Title:  The Wycherly Woman
  
• Author:  Ross MacDonald
  
• Borrowed from Fairfax, VA Public Library (Audiobook)
  
• Started: 9/1/2016
  
• Finished: 9/5/2016
  

A reasonably good, if not great, Archer novel.  Not nearly as good as the previous entry, The Galton Case.  

9 Dragons, by Michael Connelly

Title: 9 Dragons
Author: Michael Connelly
Borrowed from "little library" in Northside Park, in Ocean City, MD
Started: 8/26/2016
Finished: 9/1/2016

A pretty terrible and forgettable Harry Bosch novel.  Really pretty ridiculous plot, even for a series like this one. But when at the beach looking for a book to pass the leisure hours you take what you can get.

The Galton Case, by Ross MacDonald

Title:. The Galton Case
Author: Ross MacDonald
Borrowed from Fairfax, VA Public Library (Audiobook)
Started: 8/27/2016
Finished: 9/1/2016

Read this one a few times, but I wanted to pick it up again as it was the next in order in the series.  Love this book, great Lew Archer mystery. 

Flashman, by George MacDonald Fraser

Title:. Flashman
Author: George MacDonald Fraser
Borrowed from Fairfax County (VA) Public Library
Started: 8/23/2016
Finished: 8/27/2016

First in the Flashman series, I've changed my tune completely and now really enjoy these books. I think the first I read (Royal Flash) wasn't a good place to start.  This one Flashman, was pretty good.  The third book, Flash for Freedom is so far the best.

The Doomsters, by Ross MacDonald

Title:. The Doomsters
Author: Ross MacDonald
Purchased used from Amazon (print) in a three book collection titled "Archer in Jeopardy"
Started:  8/22/2016
Finished: 8/26/2016

Another Lew Archer book, this was a darker, more introspective Archer.  Less wise cracking, but I really enjoyed it. Much more Archer background.  This three book set also includes a note from MacDonald on his upbringing which was a nice addition.

Flash for Freedom, by George MacDonald Fraser

• Title:  Flash for Freedom
• Author: George MacDonald Fraser
  
• Borrowed from Fairfax County (VA) Library (AudioBook)
  
• Started:  8/18/2016
  
• Finished: 8/23/2016
  

My second Flashman book, third in the series.  I liked this one a lot more than the previous (second in the series) book.  I'm going to give the first one a go and see what I think.  These are expertly read by David Case, who I see died in 2005.  I'd listen to books narrated by him all day.

Tripwire, by Lee Child

Title: Tripwire
Author:. Lee Child
Borrowed from Worcester County (MD) Public Library (Kindle edition)
Started:. 8/21/2016
Finished: 8/21/2016

Despite finding these books vaguely annoying, I'm blowing through the Jack Reacher series.  A lazy, hung over Sunday had me start and finish this one in about 6 or so hours today.  So-so, easy stupid page turner. Not a complaint.

Die Trying, by Lee Child

Title: Die Trying
Author: Lee Child
Borrowed from DC Public Library (Kindle edition)
Started: 8/18/2016
Finished: 8/21/2016

Second jack reacher book. Better than the first, not great, but I have to admit I'm enjoying these anyway. 

I, The Jury, by Mickey Spillane

• Title:  I, The Jury
  
• Author:  Mickey Spillane
  
• Borrowed from Audible (free trial, Audiobook)
  
• Started: 8/16/2016
  
• Finished: 8/18/2016
  

If you scroll through the books I've listed on this blog you will see a majority are some form of detective fiction.  I love it, and I love the hard-boiled stuff.  One series I've never picked up is that of Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer.  I could not find the print edition of the first book in the series (this one, "I, The Jury") at any local library, so when I saw the audiobook was on Audible and I am in the middle of a free trial, I gave it a go.

This book is horrible.  One of the worst books I've ever read.  This was compounded by the fact that the reader of the audiobook was the worst I've ever endured. I've said before that a great narrator can make an average book amazing, and a poor narrator can make a great book average.  What I have never experienced is a HORRIBLE book being read by and even worse narrator.  I guess I can cross that off the bucket list.

I'm not going to bother trying to catch this series in order, but I will give another Mike Hammer book a shot, only this time either in print or one of the books narrated by Stacy Keach.  I, The Jury was NOT narrated by Keach.  Maybe Keach reading, and a later book in the series, will prove a better mix.  But I have my doubts.

Royal Flash, by George MacDonald Fraser

• Title:  Royal Flash
  
• Author:  George MacDonald Fraser
  
• Borrowed from Fairfax County (VA) Library (AudioBook)
  
• Started:  8/12/2016
  
• Finished: 8/17/2016
  

I'm not sure how I have been ignorant of the Flashman series (or 70s movie).  I would have loved these in my 20s.  In my 40s, the rakish coward is less enthralling, but the book was read very well and I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy it overall.  Not sure I'd seek out others in the series (though I might), but I will definitely seek out the movie one of these days.  Maybe TCM will play it... 

Hangsaman, by Shirley Jackson

• Title:  Hangsaman
  
• Author:  Shirley Jackson
  
• Borrowed from Fairfax County, VA Library (Kindle Edition)
  
• Started: 8/5/2016
  
• Finished:  8/14/2016
  

A Shirley Jackson book I had not heard of?  And it is loosely based off a famous disappearance?  Wow, this is going to be great!

Two weeks later...

What the hell did I just read?

I was lost with this one.  I get the basic plot (raped/assaulted, strange relationship with family, etc.) but I was lost of the finer points.  The police detective interludes in the first part?  The "Tony" character in the last part.  Not sorry I read it, but not the book I was hoping to read.

A Right to Die, by Rex Stout

• Title:  A Right to Die
  
• Author:  Rex Stout
  
• Borrowed from Fairfaix VA Library (audiobook)
  
• Started:  8/8/2016
  
• Finished:  8/12/2016
  

Another Nero Wolfe book, so-so overall.

The Barbarous Coast, by Ross MacDonald

• Title:  The Barbarous Coast
  
• Author:  Ross MacDonald
  
• Borrowed from Fairfax County (VA) Public Library (audiobook)
  
• Started: 8/7/2016
  
• Finished: 8/10/2016
  

After finishing the last Lew Archer book "The Ivory Grin" I skipped the next one in line ("Find a Victim") as I have read that book several times, and hated it each time.  Find a Victim is my least favorite of the Archer novels.

The Barbarous Coast was pretty good.  Not the best Archer by far, but enjoyable overall.  The biggest issue is the number of times Archer is knocked out.  I think it happens three times in the same day in one scene.  I don't mind being asked to put aside reality for a while, but beaned in the head three times in the same day with fists, gun butt, and sap?  You'd be lucky to wake up, and if you did -- probably not speaking normally again.

The write up of Malibu in the post-war period is pretty good though.  And I love the end where bad guy tries to get Archer to take $100,000 to not blow the cover off the murders.  I'm paraphrasing here but the bad guy says something like "don't you want the money?" and Archer replies "oh I want it alright.  But if I take the money I have a feeling the I wouldn't own it, it would own me."

I would love to know what MacDonald was like to talk to in person.  I guess I could read the recently published letters between MacDonald and Eudora Welty.

Next book up is "The Doomsters" which is not available to me as an audiobook, so I bought a used copy (part of a collection called "Archer in Jeopardy" which includes two other novels I can't get as an audiobook).  I also purchased a collection (used) of all Archer short stories.  

2016, the year of Lew Archer.

Master And Commander, by Patrick O'Brian

Title:. Master and Commander
Author: Patrick O'Brian
Borrowed from DC Public Library (Audiobook)
Started: 8/2/2016
Finished:  8/7/2026

Second time reading this book. Even better the second time. Love this series.

Killing Floor, by Lee Child

• Title:  Killing Floor
  
• Author:  Lee Child
  
• Borrowed from DC Public Library (Kindle Edition)
  
• Started: 7/29/2016
  
• Finished: 8/4/2016
  

Not sure how I feel about this book.  I found myself drawn to reading it, but much of the time shaking my head at some of the asinine things that happen.  The suspension of disbelief required when reading this book is astounding.  Still, I kept reading and often times enjoying the book.  I hate to admit this, but I'll probably keep at the series (Jack Reacher -- this is book 1).

The Ivory Grin, by Ross MacDonald

• Title:  The Ivory Grin
• Author:  Ross MacDonald
• Borrowed from Fairfax, VA Public Library (AudioBook)
• Started: 7/27/2016
• Finished: 8/1/2016

Book four in the Lew Archer series.  Not as good as books 2 & 3, but still very entertaining.  Love this series.

Playmates, by Robert B. Parker

• Title:  Playmates
• Author:  Robert B. Parker
• Borrowed from "little library" in Northside Park, in Ocean City, MD
• Started: 7/28/2016
• Finished: 7/29/2016

A forgettable Spenser book (#16 Amazon tells me), easy beach read...

The Moving Target, by Ross MacDonald

• Title:  The Moving Target
• Author:  Ross MacDonald
• Borrowed from Fairfax, VA Public Library (Audiobook)
• Started: 7/22/2016
• Finished:  7/26/2016

I've decided to listen to all (available through the library) audiobooks of the Lew Archer series.  This one, The Moving Target, was the first book to feature Archer.  It's pretty good, glad I finally have access to these.  I'm skipping books 2 & 3 (Drowning Pool, The Way Some People Die) because I've read them many times (drowning pool) or recently (the way some people die -- this time last year, LOVED IT).  So the next book up is #4, The Ivory Grin.

Really enjoy these.  Probably my favorite detective series.

The Amityville Horror, by Jay Anson

• Title:  The Amityville Horror
  
• Author:  Jay Anson
  
• Borrowed from Fairfax, VA Public Library (audiobook)
  
• Started:  7/19/2016
  
• Finished: 7/22/2016
  

I had this one on my list for a long time, and now that I've finally read it (thanks to the reciprocal borrowing agreements between the public libraries in the DC Metro Region) -- I was pretty disappointed.

Having read back-to-back two blockbuster books from the 1970s, it is easy to see why one of them was huge (Deliverance) and much harder to understand the other (this on, Amityville Horror).

The story was written out so much like a dragnet episode (on December 21st, so & so did such & such) that I really found it not scary of moving. 

Anyway, glad to have it behind me, even if I did not love it.

Deliverance, by James Dickey

• Title:  Deliverance
• Author:  James Dickey
• AudioBook via Audible (free trial)
• Started: 7/10/2016
• Finished: 7/13/2016

Much like "We Have to Talk About Kevin," I have been putting off reading this book for a while. Just like "Kevin," I was an idiot.  Deliverance was an amazing book.  I worried it would be dated, but it wasn't dated at all. Really liked one.

The Bridge of San Luis Rey, Thornton Wilder

Title:  The Bridge of San Luis Rey
Author:  Thornton Wilder
Purchased from Amazon (Kindle edition)
Started: 7/8/2016
Finished: 7/10/2016

My selection for book club, love this book.

The Haunting of Hill House, by Shirley Jackson

• Title:  The Haunting of Hill House
• Author:  Shirley Jackson
• Borrowed from DC Public (AudioBook)
• Started:  7/6/2016
• Finished: 7/10/2016

Probably the third time I've read this, first time as an audiobook.  I love this work.  I think Shirley Jackson might be my favorite, actually IS my favorite, spooky/haunted/literature author.

I love the 1963 film as well.  Watching the 1999 version right now.  This movie is terrible.

Dictator, by Robert Harris

• Title:  Dictator
• Author:  Robert Harris
• Borrowed from DC Public Library (Kindle Edition)
• Started:  6/12/2016
• Finished: 7/5/2016

Not a particularly long novel, but I read it slowly.  This was the third and final book in the Cicero/Tiro trilogy, very enjoyable overall though this may be been my least favorite of books.  Still, that's not a knock, this was a good book.  Very happy to have stumbled upon this trilogy.

The Bell Witch, by Brent Monahan

• Title:  The Bell Witch
  
• Author:  Brent Monahan
  
• Borrowed from DC Public Library
  
• Started 7/2/2016
  
• Finished: 7/6/2016
  

My summer of horror continues -- I don't know why but I love reading haunting/ghost stories in the summer.  Anyway, I didn't hold out much hope for this one and it exceeded (if slightly) my assumption.  Started off pretty good, really fell apart in the middle, and then finished somewhat strong if somewhat obvious.  I wasn't positive of the psychological reason for the haunting, but I was pretty certain about which character was causing it.

Anyway, interesting enough if not scary at all.  The audiobook was read a way, way too slow of a pace.  This is only the second time I have used the function that speeds up the reading.  The last time I was at just 1.2 times normal speed.  This time I was at 1.6, and probably could have gone to 2 times the normal rate and still understood everything.

Blue-Eyed Devil, by Robert Parker

• Title:  Blue-Eyed Devil
  
• Author:  Robert Parker
  
• Borrowed from DC Public Library (AudioBook)
  
• Started:  6/29/2016
  
• Finished: 7/1/2016
  

Yes another Virgil Cole/Everett Hitch book.  This was pretty terrible, from a literature perspective, but having read the others it at least continued the stories of characters you got to know over the other books.  

Rosa, by Jonathan Rabb

• Title:  Rosa
  
• Author:  Jonathan Rabb
  
• Borrowed from DC Public (AudioBook)
  
• Started: 6/17/2016
  
• Finished: 6/29/2016
  

Tried to like this one but really did not enjoy it.  Severely disliked the protagonist, which made the entire book difficult to get through.  On the face of it the book sounded like something I would love -- detective in Berlin just after WWI, but damn I really disliked this one.

The Casebook of Victor Frankenstein, by Peter Ackroyd

• Title:  The Casebook of Victor Frankenstein
  
• Author:  Peter Ackroyd
  
• Borrowed from DC Public Library (AudioBook)
  
• Started: 6/15/2016
  
• Finished: 6/22/2016
  

This was a very good book with a fun twist at the end that I am embarrassed to say I did not see coming until just before the big reveal.  I should have sensed it earlier, but I was pretty close to the end before the possibility first jumped into my mind.  Very enjoyable read.

Brimstone, by Robert B Parker

Title:. Brimstone
Author: Robert B Parker
Started: 6/11/2016
Finished: 6/14/2016

Book three in the Appaloosa saga.  Decent enough western. 

Fates & Furies, by Lauren Groff

• Title:  Fates & Furies
• Author:  Lauren Groff
• Purchased from Amazon.com, Kindle Edition
• Started: 5/28/2016
• Finished:  6/11/2016

Newest book club pick.  I struggled through the first half (fates) and then breezed through the second (furies).  Wanted to like it more than I did, mostly because I hated the first half so much.  

The Revenant: A Novel of Revenge, by Michael Punke

Title: The Revenant: A Novel of Revenge
Author: Michael Punke
Borrowed from DC Public Library (audiobook)
Started: 6/8/2016
Finished: 6/11/2016

I didn't get into this one immediately but kept with it.  Soon I was caught up and made my way through it quickly.

I knew the basics if the plot from all the press on the movie.  I haven't seen the movie, no immediate plans to do so. 

Overall enjoyed the book.

Classic Tales of Horror, Various Authors

• Title:  Classic Tales of Horror
  
• Author:  Various
  
• Borrowed from DC Public
  
• Started:  6/6/2016
  
• Finished: 6/8/2016
  

Another work of short stories from horror classics, overall good stuff.

Shooter, by Dusty Rhodes

Title: Shooter
Author: Dusty Rhodes
Borrowed from DC Library
Started: 6/1/2016
Finished: 6/5/2016

I really enjoyed this book. A bit of easy popcorn entertainment, bit had this been a movie I wouldn't be complaining.  A very fun western where the good guys come out on top, the bad guys go down. 

And who can complain about an author named Dusty Rhodes?

The Big Four, by Agatha Christie

Title: The Big Four
Author: Agatha Christie
Borrowed from MD Public Library (audiobook)
Started: 5/27/2016
Finished: 6/1/2016

This wasn't at all what I expected.  So far all of the Poirot books I've read have been pretty close in plot to the TV series.  But this one was way out there, and not in a good way.  Still entertaining enough, but pales in comparison to other Poirot novels.

The Art of the Deal, by Donald Trump

Title: The Art of the Deal
Author: Donald Trump
Borrowed from Take-One/Leave-One Library found in Northside Park, Ocean City, MD
Started: 5/15/2016
Finished: 5/28/2016

Picked this up as a joke for neighbors who hate Trump, they promptly returned it.  I figured what the hell, I'll give it a read.  A fast, breezy read, but I barely picked it up until this past weekend when I soldered through.  I enjoyed it, despite myself. I don't know what else to say.

Classic Ghost Stories, Various Authors

Title:. Classic Ghost Stories
Author:. Various
Borrowed from DC Public (Audiobook)
Started: 5/23/2016
Finished: 5/26/2026

I think this might have been released as an audiobook only.  Amazon page is here
http://www.amazon.com/Classic-Ghost-Stories-Word-Recording/dp/1934997188

That link has a reviewer who listed all titles and authors, so I won't bother doing that here. 11 stories in all I think, 5 or 6 were great, the rest so-so.  I had read one or two before, but long enough ago that they were still enjoyable.

Resolution, by Robert B Parker

• Title:  Resolution
  
• Author:  Robert B Parker
  
• Borrowed from DC Public Library (AudioBook)
  
• Started: 5/20/2016
  
• Finished:  5/22/2016
  

This is the second book in the Western trilogy that started with Appaloosa.  Appaloosa it ain't.  

One Fearful Yellow Eye, by John D MacDonald

• Title:  One Fearful Yellow Eye
  
• Author:  John D MacDonald
  
• Borrowed from Take-One/Leave-One Library found in Northside Park, Ocean City, MD
  
• Started:  5/14/2016
  
• Finished:  5/19/2016
  

I can't deny that I generally like Travis McGee books (read them all years ago), but this one has always been my least favorite.  Still, I was at the beach and needed something to read, and it was available.  Just a really bad (but fast and easy) novel.

The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: Volume 3, by Bert Coules

• Title:  The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: Volume 3
  
• Author:  Bert Coules
  
• Borrowed from DC Public (AudioBook)
  
• Started:  5/18/2016
  
• Finished: 5/20/2016
  

The second volume of these stories available via DC Public Library (third volume in the series).  These are very enjoyable recordings of pastiche Holmes stories.

The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: Volume 2, by Bert Coules

• Title:  The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: Volume 2
  
• Author:  Bert Coules
  
• Borrowed from DC Public (AudioBook)
  
• Started:  5/16/2016
  
• Finished: 5/18/2016
  

BBC Radio dramas, very well made/produced.  The stories are short, but fun, and Coules does a great job capturing the feel of the original stories.

The DC Public Library only has volumes 2  & 3, so I've missed the first volume and any others there might be.  The stories are all based around cases mentioned in the original Holmes stories.  Really, very enjoyable.

Appaloosa, by Robert B. Parker

• Title:  Appaloosa
  
• Author:  Robert B. Parker
  
• Borrowed from DC Public Library (AudioBook)
  
• Started: 5/11/2016
  
• Finished: 5/16/2016
  

Wanted a good Western.  Found one.

Didn't know it was part of a larger series.  Likely to keep going with it if I find the books available.

Welcome to Hard Times, bu E.L. Doctorow

• Title:  Welcome to Hard Times
  
• Author:  E. L. Doctorow
  
• Borrowed from DC Public (AudioBook)
  
• Started: 5/4/2016
  
• Finished: 5/11/2016
  

I have never read any Doctorow, and I suspect if I had asked someone what book of his to read they would not have mentioned this one -- but they should.  This was an outstanding western, not of cowboys and shootouts, but of those trying to build something, while others try to take away what is built.  It is about stubborn people, disappointment, hope, and destruction.  I really, really enjoyed reading this one.

The Caretaker of Lorne Field, by Dave Zeltserman

• Title: The Caretaker of Lorne Field
  
• Author:  Dave Zeltserman
  
• Borrowed from DC Public (E-Book)
  
• Started: 5/9/2016
  
• Finished: 5/9/2016
  

Read this one from beginning to end on a lazy Monday when I had the day off.  For the first couple of pages I could not figure out why anyone had recommended this one to me, then before I knew it 5 hours had passed and I was finished with the book.  It had a very Twilight Zone feel to it, I loved this one.

The Association of Small Bombs, by Karan Mahajan

• Title:  The Association of Small Bombs
  
• Author:  Karan Mahajan
  
• Purchased from Amazon.com (Kindle Edition)
  
• Started:  4/26/2016
  
• Finished: 5/3/2016
  

This is the latest pick from the book club I belong to, I liked it but found the subject matter difficult, or maybe depressing is a better word.  I'm going to save further thoughts for the group discussion.

Mort(e) by Robert Repino

• Title:  Mort(e)
  
• Author:  Robert Repino
  
• Borrowed from DC Public (AudioBook)
  
• Started: 4/27/2016
  
• Finished: 5/4/2016
  

Apocalyptic novel, talking animals, love between cat & dog, quasi-detective story.  This novel, by that description, should be the perfect novel for me.

And it started off strong.  Told mostly from the point of view of Mort(e)/Sebastian, a house cat in love with the neighbors dog Sheba (neighbor human is banging married owner of Sebastian), who through the magic of ants becomes a walking/talking/fighting machine.  

Actually all animals do, they also walk on two legs (most, anyway), as do the ants, and they've grown to human size (or greater).  This all sounds asinine, but it makes good sense in the world of the book.  And the the opening telling the story of the apocalypse and changes to animals is very well done.

But about 1/3rd of the way through the book it falls apart a bit.  Mort(e) is a killing machine (killing humans), banding together with the ants.  But things aren't as they seem to be, and the religion rears its head among the resistance, and somehow Mort(e) is believed to be the messiah.

It's just too much, but the last 1/4 of the book once again focuses on Mort(e) and his long-lost love Sheba (still a normal dog, not transformed), and for any animal lovers out there -- all is right in the world once again.

Glad I read it, would have made a better short story or even serialized work, but I can't fault a first-time author for getting this published.  

I will fault the reader of the audiobook -- he was terrible.  This could have been an amazing audiobook (essentially serializing the work), but instead the guy reading detracted from the overall enjoyment.

The Dinner, by Herman Koch

• Title:  The Dinner
  
• Author:  Herman Koch
  
• Borrowed from DC Public (AudioBook)
  
• Started:  4/24/2016
  
• Finished: 4/27/2016
  

I didn't know much about this book, and the reviews were hit or miss (dark comedy, disturbing novel, etc.).  I was captivated by the book, but I didn't like it.  That sounds like a contradiction, but what I mean is I was curious about where it was going so I kept with it, but overall I did not enjoy the experience. 

The Columbo Collection, by William Link

• Title:  The Columbo Collection
  
• Author:  William Link
  
• Purchased (used) Amazon.com
  
• Started:  4/4/14/2016
  
• Finished:  4/25/2016
  

As a longtime fan of Columbo (named my first dog, a basset hound of course, Columbo) I was excited to see that Link, the co-creator of the great detective, had published a book of short stories.  The stories are pretty weak, but this was clearly a labor of love for Link so I can't fault him.  I'm certainly not sorry I made the purchase or took the time to read a story or two a night over the last couple of weeks.

Curtain: Poirot's Last Case, by Agatha Christie

• Title:  Curtain:  Poirot's Last Case
  
• Author:  Agatha Christie
  
• Borrowed from DC Public (AudioBook)
  
• Started: 4/21/2016
  
• Finished: 4/24/2016
  

I can't pretend to have read all of the Poirot novels, but I recently watched this last Poirot on the popular series staring David Suchet.  So I thought I'd jump ahead and read this one too (I haven't been reading them in order anyway).

Not much to comment on -- I obviously already knew who the killer was, but still interesting to see the differences between book & tv version.  

The Cruel Sea, by Nicholas Monsarrat

• Title:  The Cruel Sea
  
• Author:  Nicholas Monsarrat
  
• Borrowed from MD Public Library (Worcester County, Ocean City, MD), Kindle Edition
  
• Started: 4/6/2016
  
• Finished: 4/20/2016
  

I have Herman Wouk (courtesy of the WSJ) to thank for this recommendation.  The Cruel Sea was one of five works Mr. Wouk recommended for great nautical yarns, and I can't begin to describe how much this work touched me.  I did not know anything about the work (or Monsarrat), and would likely have never heard of or read this book without Wouk/WSJ recommendation.

These are fictional characters, who we meet at the start of the WW2 through the end, and by the middle of this book I cared more about these sailors than I did about most of my fellow man.  That sounds terrible, but I was so engrossed by the story, and worried about these men, and had a hard time concentrating on anything other than their ordeal.  A very powerful book.

The Final Solution, by Michael Chabon

• Title:  The Final Solution
  
• Author:  Michael Chabon
  
• Borrowed from DC Public (AudioBook)
  
• Started:  4/19/2016
  
• Finished:  4/21/2016
  

I loved Chabon's The Yiddish Policemen's Union, but for some reason never went on to read any of his other works.  When I saw that he had written a short work involving (we assume) Sherlock Holmes, I had to give it a shot.

Like TYPU, I really enjoyed this one.  It was sad, or maybe bittersweet, but a mute boy with a pet parrot, murder and infidelity, old age and youth... this was just a wondering read.