current read

I haven't been reading as voraciously as I was able to this summer, but I'm really enjoying The Religion by Tim Willcocks right now. It is a bit gory in some scenes, but I gloss over those. The story is really compelling. It is set in the 16th century and is more or less set amidst the battle between Christian monastic knights and the Moslem equivalent. The main characters are well written and sympathetic, very human amidst their circumstances. Almost all the scenes are very well done, described in great detail, even the gory ones are written well. The author also has a well-developed vocabulary which I appreciate. He doesn't go out of his way to use fancy words, but knows when a well-chosen one can hit the mark.
for a book picked up at random on the Wal-Mart sale rack, I'd say I hit a winner.

Books and Clubs and Libraries, Oh My!

Just got a new stack of books from Paperback Swap. Let's see, I got Artemisia, Galileo's Daughter, Under the Black Flag, and ...something else I can't recall right now. Haven't cracked a page on any of them yet. They're all just stacked on my desk. Waiting... patiently, as good books do.
I did finally go get a library card, so I've been reading a couple of books from the library lately. I finished Hotel New Hampshire by John Irving. Not one of my favorites of his. Also am about to finish Gods of Aberdeen by Micah Nathan. I'm enjoying it quite a bit. There's a little bit of intrigue, some alchemy and some good characters, I think.
I was invited by a friend to join a book club that she's a part of. I looked at the list and with the exception of maybe one or two, they're the kind of books that are deep, often dark, soul-searching things with lots of pain and agony along the way--the kind that Oprah loves. We'll see. That's not really my thing. I think there are plenty of good deep, insightful books that don't drag you into the depths of agony to make their point. Know any? Leave a comment!

Books I Read on Vacation

I went through a number of books last week while on vacation in Canada. Sometimes one a day. Let's see if I can remember all of them:
Splintered Icon by Bill Napier-only ok. Not the best plot line or character development, but some good action moments. My first read by the author, and while I'm not sure I'd actively seek another of his works, it didn't entirely stink. However, I enjoyed Gates of Hades by Gregg Loomis much more. The hero was tough and hunky and there was a little side plot with the girl, of course. I've read another one or two of Loomis's works and they were all pretty decent. It was no Jack DuBrul, but I've read all of his. (It's my thing for geologists, see) Maybe it's time to re-read? Hmm, anyway...
Also read Winter Study by Nevada Barr. For sure in the top 3. One of the better ones of hers lately. Threw in a couple historical romance novels, mostly 'cause that's just what us gals do on vacation, kind of a tradition. Won't bore you with titles and details. [Since we know they're all pretty much the same anyway, but that's not why we read them, right? :) ]
But by far and away the most fun was Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich. I mean, who doesn't love Stephanie Plum?! Two hunky guys, all that adventure, a crazy family, ex-ho sidekick, Rex... It doesn't get any funnier than this! Not enough Ranger in this one though, "Babe."
I'm just about to finish Bones to Ashes by Kathy Reichs, also one of my favorite authors. She'd be #2 in the top 3 right between Evanovich and Barr on the vacation top picks.

Another one down...

Finished up Napoleon's Pyramids. I liked this one pretty well. Enough that I'm looking forward to reading its sequel that should be out now or sometime soon. Again, not something I'm reading for enlightenment, but then, I do that as part of my job, so I try to escape when I'm reading at home for pleasure.
Still working on the Mosaic Crimes. Still going slowly, which means I'm going to end up reading something else alongside it, making it go even more slowly.
Picked up 3 new books for vacation. Can't remember all the titles, but I'll fill y'all in as I pick them up. Mom and sis always bring plenty of trashy romances to fill idle time too. Probably won't give all the details on those. They are what they are.
Happy reading!

I'm working on...

...Giulio Leoni's The Mosaic Crimes right now. Of course, I don't just read one book at a time either so I'm also reading Napoleon's Pyramids by William Dietrich.
Leoni's is a little slow. I think that might be because it's a translation--now, don't get me wrong, it's a very good translation, but as they say, things get lost... However, I am enjoying it and since I'm not that far into it, I'm still reserving judgment for the most part. If it gets good and twisty-turny you know I'll like it!
The Pyramids are right up my alley. I love mysteries for brain candy and especially the historic ones. Amelia Peabody anyone?
(And just in case your wondering, no, Amazon in not paying me a dime--but don't you think they should?)

Just Finished...

...Patricia Cornwell's Book of the Dead. It's one of her Kay Scarpetta novels. Kay is probably my favorite female mystery character right now. Cornwell does a great job of making her human. I thought this was a good book, but not as twisty-turny as some of her previous Scarpetta novels. It didn't go as deep into the depth of connection between characters as some of the older ones either. However, it was still a page turner and a good, albeit, quick read.
I'll recommend it as a great summer read. Easy, fun, light (but only as in you won't have to do mental gymnastics to read it--otherwise it's dark as far as gruesome and psychologically a thriller).
I also just finished up Erik Larson's The Devil in the White City. It's historic, it's a thriller, so you know I loved it. It was very well written. His descriptions are wonderful as well as his character development for the most part. I really got a feel for Chicago during the end of the 19th century as it geared up for the fair. The palpable excitement that the whole city was experiencing. I recommend it, though it's not a quick summer read. Still worth picking up though by all means. Don't pass it by, just be sure to have the time to give it it's due.