Joe's Updates

Joe entered a giveaway

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 08:40:50 -0800

The Amalfi Curse

by Sarah Penner

Joe entered a giveaway

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 08:40:15 -0800

Murder Takes a Vacation

by Laura Lippman

Joe is on page 17 of 511 of Wool

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 08:39:41 -0800

Joe is on page 17 of 511 of Wool.

Joe started reading 'Wool'

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 19:25:09 -0800

Joe started reading Wool by Hugh Howey

Joe added 'The Last Chairlift'

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 19:21:56 -0800

Joe gave 5 stars to The Last Chairlift (Paperback) by John Irving

Joe started reading 'The Last Chairlift'

Sun, 04 Aug 2024 20:23:26 -0700

Joe started reading The Last Chairlift by John Irving

Joe added 'Mars Hospital'

Sun, 04 Aug 2024 19:58:31 -0700

Joe gave 4 stars to Mars Hospital (Paperback) by Lloyd Flatt
A funny, fast paced episodic look at our health care system culled from the experiences of Dr. Lloyd Flatt. While the book is satirical fiction, if even half of what is detailed here actually happened then this could very well be classified as a horror story even more terrifying than anything from King, Barker or Straub. The fictional Dr. Wave, taking on the medical directorship of the local hospital in Mars, Nebraska, encounters a never ending supply of wacky patients, inept doctors, antiquated procedures/equipment, and worst of all, an unscrupulously corrupt, moronic and completely unqualified hospital CEO. The novel flows as Dr. Wave has one hilarious patient encounter after another, fights his mostly uncaring fellow doctors and tries to implement his CEO's ridiculous morale boosting programs (they involve cartoon crabs and firecrackers) all while trying to help those truly in need. Sometimes he succeeds.

The only drawback to the novel is that the episodic style moves quickly and the action sometimes feels rushed and insubstantial as does the ending. The characters could have been more fleshed out as we know little about them outside their interactions within the hospital. I'd have liked the novel to be longer and meatier.

All in all a fun, enjoyable read that highlights some critical issues facing our health care system while generating laughs.

Joe started reading 'Mars Hospital'

Fri, 02 Aug 2024 11:09:28 -0700

Joe started reading Mars Hospital by Lloyd Flatt

Joe added 'Fairy Tale'

Fri, 02 Aug 2024 10:52:16 -0700

Joe gave 5 stars to Fairy Tale (Hardcover) by Stephen King
Fairy Tale is Stephen King reminding us that his best days are not necessarily behind him. Mesmerizing from the start, Fairy Tale is the best novel from him in recent years and possibly one of his all time best. In the way that "It" was a love letter to horror movies, the plot of Fairy Tale, centering around a teenage boy's discovery of a portal that leads to another world, encompasses and pays homage to the unforgettable fairy & fable tales we all grew up with, mixes in a bit of Lassie & Oz & Star Wars & Harry Potter, then coats it all with a dose of Lovecraftian mystery and horror. The result is a coming of age adventure filled with memorable characters, fantastical monsters and, of course, a kingdom and a princess to save. Faity Tale is a rousingly good old-fashioned journey into the imagination -territory that was always King's specialty.

Joe added 'Shogun, Part 1'

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 13:51:53 -0700

Joe gave 5 stars to Shogun, Part 1 (Mass Market Paperback) by James Clavell
An unforgettable adventure with power, love, the love of power and the power of love at its heart. On the surface the novel centers on a clash of cultures as John Blackthorne, an English sailor, lands in Japan around 1600. The story soon expands for a real central character to emerge - Lord Yoshii Toranaga - and he becomes in my estimation one of the greatest characters in fiction. This is a time of a delicate detante in Japan, as the prior ruler died leaving a male heir who is not yet old enough to assume power. Rule currently sits with 5 Daimyos, of which Toranaga is one, who comprise a council of Regents and rule together - but the balance is fragile and about to snap. The arrival of Blackthorne and his ship becomes the catalyst that ignites the ensuing power struggle.

Cunning, ruthless, strong and always steps ahead of his enemies, Toranaga uses skill and deception to battle for domination over the other Daimyos. The barbarian Blackthorne as well as Mariko, a Japanese woman disgraced by the dishonorable actions of her father, become crucial pawns in Toranaga's schemes, then complicate things further when they fall in forbidden love.

An old fashioned epic with memorable characters and gripping suspense and a character you will think of long after the last page is read. When you reach a difficult decision in life you may find yourself thinking "What would Toranaga do?"