Long Time Expat In Japan
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 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
Living in Japan, since 2006, is not nearly as tough as the time I lived here in the 90s. Back then it was hard to keep in touch, both with friends and with culture. I was happy when Amazon came along and made it easier to buy books. I used to have to go to … Continue reading Archive
I've discovered Steve Hockensmith. It's kind of like Columbus discovering North America; been there a while with a whole population of folks, just took me a while to find it. The good thing is that I don't have any plague blankets. The even better thing is that they probably wouldn't work on Steve Hockensmith, considering … Continue reading Cadaver in Chief – a Review
I picked up the first of the Dresden Files novels. I’ve never read them, despite their popularity and longevity. I’m enjoying it so far, but that’s not why I’m writing this. I’m writing this because of the villain. I can’t help but imagine him as Donald Trump. Below is the description. His salt-and-pepper hair was … Continue reading Villains
Thoughts on Mortal StakesRobert B Parker I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned Robert B. Parker before. I’m on another reading kick, this time Mortal Stakes, his third in the Spenser series, published in 1975. So I was 9 when it came out. Parker spends lots of time on morality in his Spenser novels, often using other … Continue reading Mortal Stakes
Book ReviewThe Last Emperoxby John Scalzi I’ve been a Scalzi fan since 2006. I buy most of his novels in hardback. This time I bought it e-book but that’s just because I had to wait too long for the physical copy. I suspect it was import problems related to the pandemic. The Interdependency is my … Continue reading The Last Emperox
Like a lot of people these days, I am working from home for a little bit. Apropos of nothing, or perhaps just to pass the early morning hours (I get a little more time in the day sans-commute), I decided to start recording my dreams. For a long time, it seems, I haven't been remembering … Continue reading Passing Time
Book Review Bannerless By Carrie Vaughn As always, I spoil with out warning so be...warned. I've never read any of Ms. Vaughn's novels. She's famous for a series in which a werewolf named Kitty hosts a radio talk show for the supernatural. I discovered Bannerless on John Scalzi's blog, Whatever, and decided to give it … Continue reading Book Review – Bannerless
Book Review Artificial Condition By Martha Wells As always, I spoil when it pleases me. About 4 months ago I read the first in this series, All Systems Red, which I bought for four bucks on Kindle, and was very pleased. It set up the character, as well as established a longer arc and mystery. … Continue reading Book Review – Artificial Condition
B.S. Donovan 