Small Vices (1997) by Robert B. Parker Number 24 in the series, Small Vices is one of the better Spenser novels of these middle years. Spenser is hired by a law firm to look into the arrest and conviction of a black man, Ellis Alves. Rita Fiori, a recurring character in the Spenser series, has … Continue reading Book Review – Small Vices
Author: bsdonovan
Book Review – Chance
Chance (1996)by Robert B. Parker I continue to read through the Spenser novels in order. Chance is the 23rd in the series. Since the book is almost 30 years old I will spoil with little guilt. I reread the opening prologue just now as I write this. I was somewhat unaware of it as I … Continue reading Book Review – Chance
Japan is Awesome – Vending Machines
Maybe you’ve heard of strange things you can buy in vending machines in Japan. I’m here to tell you that maybe most of the stories are true. I personally have seen horse meat, alcohol, underwear, umbrellas, and socks. Today, I was in Osaka (more on why in in a later post) and I saw the … Continue reading Japan is Awesome – Vending Machines
Japan Is Awesome – Usually
Japan is awesome. I've written a couple of posts about my adopted home. While there are more than a few examples of great innovations, I've also written about how Japan has mangled the English language. Maybe I shouldn't say "mangle.” In the end, words are imported. And when they are imported, they transform and take … Continue reading Japan Is Awesome – Usually
Book Review – Thin Air
Thin Air By Robert B. Parker (1995) In case you haven't figured it out by now, I'm a bit of a Parker fan. I haven't reviewed all his Spenser novels, but I'm working on it. Thin Air is number 22 in the series, if I'm not mistaken. I've enjoyed most, though not all of them. … Continue reading Book Review – Thin Air
Book Review – Walking Shadow
Walking Shadowby Robert B. Parker Walking Shadow is the 21st Spenser novel. It is one of the better ones in this middle era for the series. (Note: spoilers) Spenser is in Port City, a fictitious city that's near Boston, but the reader is unclear exactly where. The beginning is a bit atypical for a detective … Continue reading Book Review – Walking Shadow
Maskless
Living in Japan, things move differently. It was only last week that Japan lifted mask restrictions. I know, I know. The rest of the world was maskless for more than a year. But this is how things work over here. The pace is different, and people are more cautious. The official date was March 13, … Continue reading Maskless
Book Review – Paper Doll
Paper Dollby Robert B. Parker Paper Doll is the 20th of the Spenser novels. I'm reading them mostly in order. A little while back I wrote about Pastime, which is #22, so I reviewed them slightly out of order. (spoiler alert for a novel written in 1991) The story revolves around Spenser's investigation of the … Continue reading Book Review – Paper Doll
…in Which I Write About Business Stuff
Trillion Dollar Coachby Eric Schmidt, Jonathan Rosenberg, and Alan Eagle I don't much write about work-related stuff. But I'd been thinking about happiness and work, and I had a book on my (virtual) shelf I had bought about four years ago. I read it. And it was okay. The coach in the title is Bill … Continue reading …in Which I Write About Business Stuff
Second Half of Life
Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life (hereafter S2S)by Arthur C. Brooks The title is a mouthful. It was something of a turnoff, to be honest. It reminded me of the self help books that I want no part of. Books that aim to help you squeeze … Continue reading Second Half of Life