Long Time Expat In Japan
I’m on a business trip, one where I actually got some work done. But it’s also in a hotel in spitting distance of the ocean. And it has a pool. And the business part of the trip is done. So I’m drinking margaritas by the pool and reading literary fiction. Work is hard. Life interferes. … Continue reading Literature
Hush Money (1999)by Robert B. ParkerNumber 26 in the series. Yes, I am reading through them all, in order, numbers 27 and 28 coming soon. Spenser has a tendency to take on pro bono cases. Sometimes I wonder when he’ll actually make enough money to pay for his offices on Boylston and Berkely. But I … Continue reading Book Review – Hush Money
Sudden Mischief (1998)by Robert B. Parker Number 25 in the series, Sudden Mischief has a couple of interesting divergences from the typical Spenser novel. It doesn’t stray too widely from the typical genre, but I like how he took the interaction between Spenser and his love interest, Susan, in a different direction. Susan, Spenser’s long … Continue reading Book Review – Sudden Mischief
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
B.S. Donovan 