Long Time Expat In Japan
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
“Would you care to have a drink with me after work?" I said. "That would be lovely," she said. "Where and when?" "Ritz bar, this evening when you get through." "Five thirty," she said. "I'll meet you there," I said. Excerpt FromValedictionRobert B Parker Big Robert B. fan from decades past, I’m re-reading Valediction, published … Continue reading Fine, I’ll Meet You There
Book Review Six Wakes By Mur Lafferty I don't always buy every book that's nominated for the Hugo best novel, but I do check them out to see if they appeal. In 2018, the nominees were: The Stone Sky, by N.K. JemisinThe Collapsing Empire, by John ScalziProvenance, by Ann LeckieSix Wakes, by Mur LaffertyRaven Stratagem, … Continue reading Book Review – Six Wakes
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
Book Review The Last Town By Blake Crouch I will spoil without warning, so let this serve as ... a warning. I went off on a Blake Crouch binge last year, bought all the Wayward Pines books (Pines, Wayward, now the Last Town), the standalone Dark Matter, and Abandoned. I guess he hit a nerve. … Continue reading Book Review – The Last Town
Book Review Abandon By Blake Crouch I got into Blake Crouch with his Wayward Pines series. Good popcorn and jujubee reading. He mixes thriller, mystery, and scifi, while throwing in some good interpersonal elements. After reading the series, I went straight to Amazon so see what else was out there. I ranked his books by … Continue reading Book Review – Abandon
Book Review Artemis By Andy Weir Note to readers: I spoil as the mood takes me. Understand this in advance. I will not point out when spoilers appear. Assume they start now and continue, willy nilly. I really enjoyed Andy Weir's first book, The Martian, which seems to have been a bit of an internet … Continue reading Book Review – Artemis
Book Review Dark Matter By Blake Crouch I enjoyed Crouch's first two books in the Wayward Pines trilogy, liked it so much, I bought Dark Matter and Abandon, which I will review later. I was not disappointed. Dark Matter is what Crouch does well, a mix of elements; thriller, science fiction, and love. It reads … Continue reading Book Review – Dark Matter
Book Review Wayward By Blake Crouch Book two in the series was very middle book-ish. Good, a complete story, but very clearly the middle of an arc. I spoil like crazy below, so forewarned and forearmed and all that. There is virtually no gap between books one and two. Story wise, it is the next … Continue reading Book Review – Wayward
B.S. Donovan 