Baldacci is always readable, even when he writes crap, but this is one of his better later career attempts. It's not one of his best, but compared to Baldacci is always readable, even when he writes crap, but this is one of his better later career attempts. It's not one of his best, but compared to some of his fellow writers out there......more
It's Ballard and Harry and Harry's daughter together again in a very good story by the always readable Michael Connelly...'nuff said!It's Ballard and Harry and Harry's daughter together again in a very good story by the always readable Michael Connelly...'nuff said!...more
If you can get this book (short story actually) from the library or other ways for free, by all means read it. It's just a simple prequel to Rogue LawIf you can get this book (short story actually) from the library or other ways for free, by all means read it. It's just a simple prequel to Rogue Lawyer and if nothing else is a good intro to Grisham's talent for writing accessible, page turning stories. Actually, given the absence of proselytizing found in Rogue, this is a better, if much shorter read.
Merged review:
If you can get this book (short story actually) from the library or other ways for free, by all means read it. It's just a simple prequel to Rogue Lawyer and if nothing else is a good intro to Grisham's talent for writing accessible, page turning stories. Actually, given the absence of proselytizing found in Rogue, this is a better, if much shorter read....more
Well, if you want to learn about China post-1949...! This book reads like a history cum travelogue of Hong Kong and the PRC with a cobbled together anWell, if you want to learn about China post-1949...! This book reads like a history cum travelogue of Hong Kong and the PRC with a cobbled together and decidedly second thought plot which requires quite a bit of suspension of reality. It also doesn't age well as one feels guilty for not lending a helping hand to the Middle Kingdom....more
I haven't read a decent short story/novella in ages...decades, probably. You know what I mean? you sit down with an acquaintance and an adult beverageI haven't read a decent short story/novella in ages...decades, probably. You know what I mean? you sit down with an acquaintance and an adult beverage and he tells you a story which keeps you interested for half an hour, an hour. The storyteller isn't interested in wordsmithing so much as keeping you interested. Don Winslow has accomplished that task with Downward Facing Doug. Great characters and a fun plot...you won't be disappointed....more
Wow! Here's an original idea for a plot...hardworking, honest black handyman is unjustly (laughably!) accused of killing two rich white people in 1960Wow! Here's an original idea for a plot...hardworking, honest black handyman is unjustly (laughably!) accused of killing two rich white people in 1960s Virginia. Gee, I wonder how that story turns out! The good guys are saintly in their devotion to The Cause, the bad guys are 100% evil...they even abuse pet dogs! Baldacci has fallen into the Grisham trap of "I can write well enough to keep it sorta interesting so I don't really have to think too hard about the plot." Go read (or reread) To Kill A Mockingbird instead....more
Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ shows as of today 79% 5-star and 16% 4-star reviews for The Women. I doubt that I have ever seen anything remotely like that before and I'veÅ·±¦ÓéÀÖ shows as of today 79% 5-star and 16% 4-star reviews for The Women. I doubt that I have ever seen anything remotely like that before and I've been around a while. This is one Hell of a book and no, you don't have to be a woman to read it. I quickly became attached to the main character and couldn't stop reading (listening, actually). All credit to Kristin Hannah, she is one great storyteller. By the way, if you can get through this relatively long novel with a dry eye, well... Anyway, go read the book; it's only February, but this one will be a biggie for 2024....more
I don't know whether I am reviewing the right book here. It seems there is a volume 1 and 2. Whatever, my audiobook is about 43 hours long and containI don't know whether I am reviewing the right book here. It seems there is a volume 1 and 2. Whatever, my audiobook is about 43 hours long and contains some 84 (Yes, 84!) short stories. I am also reviewing before finishing since I read a few stories, read something else, then something else again, then come back to Block to, shall we say, cleanse the palate. Of course, some of these are better than others, but all are decent and readable unlike so many short stories which are pointless, slice of life, don't I write "purty" tedium. If you are a fan of Scudder, Rhodenbarr, Keller, other Block characters, or just his writing, you must read these short stories....more
When many of our best-selling authors publish something new, one learns to proceed slowly because it can be crap. I am talking about your Baldaccis, yWhen many of our best-selling authors publish something new, one learns to proceed slowly because it can be crap. I am talking about your Baldaccis, your Grishams, your Cobens and, yes, even your Kings. But, there is one writer who never disappoints (me, at any rate) and that is Michael Connelly. Sure, some of his stuff is better than some of his other stuff, but it's all at least 4 star. Resurrection Walk is up there with his best stuff and has all the usual players working a great plot. Just pure Connelly...go read it!...more
First of all, any connection between this book and The Firm is tenuous at best. The struggling young attorney in Memphis is, 15 years on, now a partneFirst of all, any connection between this book and The Firm is tenuous at best. The struggling young attorney in Memphis is, 15 years on, now a partner in the biggest law firm in the world and based in New York and, uh...no longer struggling! Grisham does do a little back and fill in chapter one with old Mitch returning to Memphis to maybe take on a death row case (he doesn't) and looking up one of his old (now out of jail) associates. On to the main story, such as it is, with nary a backward glance. Ah yes, the main story (Yawn!)...big time legal firm repping a construction company against the Libyan government in the Qaddafi era, female associate who happens to be daughter of legal firm's managing partner gets kidnapped in Libya, huge ransom demanded, you can see the requisite happy ending coming from day one. The story starts out a yawner and then throws in such illogic that it becomes an irritating yawner if that's possible. This latest Grisham is just the latest attempt to cash in on the JG/The Firm hoopla so you are warned. Two stars because old John still knows how to tell a story, even if it's a soporific bedtime story....more
If you look at this book on its GR site, you surely won't invest money or time in reading it...the highest 20-odd ratings are all one- or two-star. WeIf you look at this book on its GR site, you surely won't invest money or time in reading it...the highest 20-odd ratings are all one- or two-star. Well, I find myself in the odd (to me) position of saying that I thought the book was damn good and doesn't deserve the slings and arrows at all. First of all, I don't see that Michael Lewis is a fanboi of Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) at all. Yes, he was impressed by SBF when first meeting him but the majority of the book is straight reporting with many interviews of SBF's sidekicks. SBF himself comes across as probably being more than a little autistic/on the spectrum but functional to a degree. As for business acumen, well, he was in the right place at the right time...the crypto market in its wild west stage. It must be hard not to become a SBF when everybody around you is literally throwing about billions of dollars. SBF got where he was because he was enabled by people who should have known better but had dollar signs in their eyes. All in all, this is a well-written book and a decent warning for investors. As Warren Buffett has said, "If you don't understand what a business does to make money, don't invest in it!" ...more
Given that the author, Walter Isaacson is over 70 he probably won't be around to pen Musk, Part Deux. But, you never know! I went into this lengthy PaGiven that the author, Walter Isaacson is over 70 he probably won't be around to pen Musk, Part Deux. But, you never know! I went into this lengthy Part 1 thinking I probably wouldn't finish it because it would devolve into ennui and get lost in the shrubbery after a few hundred pages, but it sure didn't. I thought the book's subject was basically a cantankerous asshole with an ego bigger than all outdoors and some of that is true but I do have an enormous respect now for the man, and that is thanks to Isaacson's writing. I highly recommend this biography to all, whether you are a fan of Elon or an enemy. It's a great read. ...more
DNF'd at 1/3! Most of the examples were very simple corporate cheats which were caught eventually and were only ever successful because of a shocking DNF'd at 1/3! Most of the examples were very simple corporate cheats which were caught eventually and were only ever successful because of a shocking lack of internal controls. What I found irritating was the sanctimonious, holier than thou attitude of the author who would of course never be tempted by such temptations....more
As Grisham, Baldacci, and Corben fall into the pit of inanity and boredom, it's nice to know that Linwood Barclay can still tell a decent story with aAs Grisham, Baldacci, and Corben fall into the pit of inanity and boredom, it's nice to know that Linwood Barclay can still tell a decent story with a sensible plot. Recommended....more
Grisham can write but his novels lack a decent plot lately. So, he tried his luck at three absolutely pointless novellas, again with no plot and, as aGrisham can write but his novels lack a decent plot lately. So, he tried his luck at three absolutely pointless novellas, again with no plot and, as an added bonus, no endings. 'Nuff said!...more
I had the thought going in that because of the "unauthorized" in the title, this would be a hatchet job on old Phil. It isn't at all. It presents PhilI had the thought going in that because of the "unauthorized" in the title, this would be a hatchet job on old Phil. It isn't at all. It presents Phil as a real person with many good points and a few bad points. I came away with a lot more respect and affection for the man. ...more
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