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 | Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas : A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream |
 | "Vegas Gonzo Style" | 2009-06-24 |
I read this book at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, then I went to Vegas and saw "The Hangover". The timing couldn't have been more perfect. I bought the book after watching a documentary on Hunter Thompson. This is a MUST READ!! It will grab you from the opening paragraph and drag you along for one crazy, drugged out ride.The book is "laugh out loud" funny.
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 | The Given Day: A Novel |
 | "Part one" | 2009-05-23 |
I found this book an entertaining, enlightening read. It is family saga set in Boston during the period at the end of WWI. It follows the Coughlin family and one of their African employees, Luther (a man with a past). Mr. Lehane , in the fashion of true historical fiction, creates the scene using the Boston Police Riots and Babe Ruth as a backdrop. My only complaint is Mr. Lehane leaves me with the impression that this is Part 1 of a multi part series.
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 | The Runner's Guide to the Meaning of Life : What 35 Years of Running Have Taught Me About Winning, Losing, Happiness, Humility, and the Human Heart |
| "An Easy Run" | 2009-03-30 |
Amby Burfoot, winner of the Boston Marathon, has written a wonderful little book about running and life. He looks at his running life from a variety of angles, all from the perpective of years spent on his feet. This is great read that really captures how we live life through running. A beautiful book!!
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 | A Darkness More Than Night |
| "Pure Jazz" | 2009-03-08 |
All of Michael Connelly's books should be read while listening to classic jazz. Connelly himself will clue you in to the artist that he believes would provide the best soundtrack (in this case it is Art Pepper's sweet, sexy sax). "Darkness" is an interesting mix of police procedural and courtroom drama. Harry Bosch is testifying in a celebrity case and there are complications. An ex-FBI profiler, Terry McCaleb (Bloodwork) is called into profile a bizarre murder of one of Bosch's prey. All roads lead to Bosch. As always, Connelly's writing is suberb. His plotting is exquisite. And his character development sets the standard for the genre. This is a great read!!!
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 | Trunk Music (Detective Harry Bosch Mysteries) |
| "A Vegas Twist" | 2008-08-03 |
Harry Bosch is on the prowl again. It's his first case back from a suspension and it leads Harry to the seamy side of Vegas. He encounters an old flame and is caught up in a case that has enough twists and turns to keep your head spinning. Mr. Connelly's writing is crisp and his characters are well drawn. It doesn't get any better than this.
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 | Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas for Millions |
| "Dazzling" | 2008-08-03 |
Mr. Mezrich, in "Bringing Down the House", gives us a fascinating account of a group of MIT students who took "card counting" at the blackjack table to a whole new level. This fast paced page-turner takes a thrill ride that reads like a novel. Great read!!
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 | Bringing Down the House : The Inside Story of Six MIT Students Who Took Vegas for Millions |
| "Dazzling" | 2008-08-03 |
Mr. Mezrich, in "Bringing Down the House", gives us a fascinating account of a group of MIT students who took "card counting" at the blackjack table to a whole new level. This fast paced page-turner takes a thrill ride that reads like a novel. Great read!!
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 | Trunk Music |
| "A Vegas Twist" | 2008-08-03 |
Harry Bosch is on the prowl again. It's his first case back from a suspension and it leads Harry to the seamy side of Vegas. He encounters an old flame and is caught up in a case that has enough twists and turns to keep your head spinning. Mr. Connelly's writing is crisp and his characters are well drawn. It doesn't get any better than this.
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 | The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals |
| "Food for Thought" | 2008-08-03 |
Mr. Pollan's "Omnivore's Dilemma" is easily one of the best books I've read this year. He approaches the subject of the food we eat, where it comes from and who grows it in a thoughtful and thought provoking manner. He follows the food chain backwards from the fast food joint, the grocery store and restaurant to our food sources. This a cautionary tale about what the American consumer eats and the industrialization of the US food industry. The book is full of interesting characters that inhabit different elements of the food chain. Mr. Pollan's writing is excellent. He has a point of view but rather than beating you over the head with it, he invites you on a journey to discovery. Be prepared to change the way you look at food. AN OUTSTANDING BOOK!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!
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 | FDR |
| "Brilliant!!" | 2008-07-08 |
FDR comes to life, his greatness and his flaws. Mr. Smith has constructed a marvelous one volume portrait of one of America's greatest Presidents. Like Lincoln he was the right man, at the right time for his moment in history. Tears welled in my eyes as I read the final passages about his passing. Highly Recommended!!
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 | John Adams by David McCullough, ISBN 0743525485 |
| "Founding Father" | 2008-03-25 |
This is an engrossing account of the life of our 2nd President, John Adams. Mr. McCullough's fine narrative style captures the reader in the opening pages and propels us through the events that shaped our early history as a nation. Mr. McCullough uses President Adams' prolific correspondence to tell the story in his own words. He illustrates effectively all the key players in the drama - General Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and Ben Franklin. Without overdoing it, he also shares the relationship with his beloved Abigail, her strength and character. This is an outstanding portrait of one of our Founding Fathers and the times that shaped him.
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 | John Adams |
| "Founding Father" | 2008-03-25 |
This is an engrossing account of the life of our 2nd President, John Adams. Mr. McCullough's fine narrative style captures the reader in the opening pages and propels us through the events that shaped our early history as a nation. Mr. McCullough uses President Adams' prolific correspondence to tell the story in his own words. He illustrates effectively all the key players in the drama - General Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and Ben Franklin. Without overdoing it, he also shares the relationship with his beloved Abigail, her strength and character. This is an outstanding portrait of one of our Founding Fathers and the times that shaped him.
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 | John Adams by David McCullough, ISBN 0743504747 |
| "Founding Father" | 2008-03-25 |
This is an engrossing account of the life of our 2nd President, John Adams. Mr. McCullough's fine narrative style captures the reader in the opening pages and propels us through the events that shaped our early history as a nation. Mr. McCullough uses President Adams' prolific correspondence to tell the story in his own words. He illustrates effectively all the key players in the drama - General Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and Ben Franklin. Without overdoing it, he also shares the relationship with his beloved Abigail, her strength and character. This is an outstanding portrait of one of our Founding Fathers and the times that shaped him.
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 | John Adams |
| "Founding Father" | 2008-03-25 |
This is an engrossing account of the life of our 2nd President, John Adams. Mr. McCullough's fine narrative style captures the reader in the opening pages and propels us through the events that shaped our early history as a nation. Mr. McCullough uses President Adams' prolific correspondence to tell the story in his own words. He illustrates effectively all the key players in the drama - General Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and Ben Franklin. Without overdoing it, he also shares the relationship with his beloved Abigail, her strength and character. This is an outstanding portrait of one of our Founding Fathers and the times that shaped him.
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 | Last Coyote by Michael Connelly, ISBN 1561002410 |
| "Inner Demons" | 2007-12-26 |
What makes Harry Bosch one of the great characters in all of fiction are his flaws. Harry is suspended for assaulting his boss, he is being checked out by the department shrink and he decides to investigate an old homicide - his mother's. Great story, solid characters - you can't go wrong with Michael Connelly.
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 | The Black Echo |
| "Bosch Begins" | 2007-11-12 |
I've worked my way back through the Harry Bosch books over the last couple of years and finally arrived at the beginning. This is a sweet introduction to Harry and all that follows. Harry is called out on a body discovered in a tunnel in LA. Mr. Connelly uses this to lay the ground work for Harry's character and his history (Vietnam, tunnel rat, foster care, etc). Harry is paired with FBI agent Eleanor Wish. This is an excellent police procedural. The ending seems a bit tricked up but otherwise a GREAT READ!!
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 | The Black Echo |
| "Bosch Begins" | 2007-11-12 |
I've worked my way back through the Harry Bosch books over the last couple of years and finally arrived at the beginning. This is a sweet introduction to Harry and all that follows. Harry is called out on a body discovered in a tunnel in LA. Mr. Connelly uses this to lay the ground work for Harry's character and his history (Vietnam, tunnel rat, foster care, etc). Harry is paired with FBI agent Eleanor Wish. This is an excellent police procedural. The ending seems a bit tricked up but otherwise a GREAT READ!!
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 | The Black Echo |
| "Bosch Begins" | 2007-11-12 |
I've worked my way back through the Harry Bosch books over the last couple of years and finally arrived at the beginning. This is a sweet introduction to Harry and all that follows. Harry is called out on a body discovered in a tunnel in LA. Mr. Connelly uses this to lay the ground work for Harry's character and his history (Vietnam, tunnel rat, foster care, etc). Harry is paired with FBI agent Eleanor Wish. This is an excellent police procedural. The ending seems a bit tricked up but otherwise a GREAT READ!!
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 | The Black Echo by Michael Connelly, ISBN 1593554176 |
| "Bosch Begins" | 2007-11-12 |
I've worked my way back through the Harry Bosch books over the last couple of years and finally arrived at the beginning. This is a sweet introduction to Harry and all that follows. Harry is called out on a body discovered in a tunnel in LA. Mr. Connelly uses this to lay the ground work for Harry's character and his history (Vietnam, tunnel rat, foster care, etc). Harry is paired with FBI agent Eleanor Wish. This is an excellent police procedural. The ending seems a bit tricked up but otherwise a GREAT READ!!
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 | Duel in the Sun : Alberto Salazar, Dick Beardsley, and America's Greatest Marathon |
| "The Race of Their Lives" | 2007-07-28 |
The 1982 Boston Marathon is arguably one of the greatest road races of all time. Alberto Salazar was the "golden boy" and the favorite. Dick Beardsley was an unknown journeyman runner (despite wins at the Grandma's Marathon and London Marathon). Their epic battle is told in stride for stride fashion with each runner sharing his thoughts, doubts and pains. Mr. Brant does an excellent job of fleshing out each runner's biography both before and after the race. I could not put this book down. This is one of the best running books I have ever read. It transends the sport and would be a very entertaining read for anyone!!
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 | Thunderstruck |
| "Marconi and Murder" | 2007-07-15 |
Mr. Larson has again achieved literary success by weaving two stories into one compelling read. Dr. H. H. Crippen is a creepy, mysterious character who arrives in London about the time Giugliemo Marconi is locked in battle with his fellow inventors and inovators to advance "wireless" technology. Mr. Larson's storytelling is first rate. He draws for us a vivd picture of Edwardian England. His portraits of the two main characters are rich in detail and nuance. His plot pacing is excellent. This is an outstanding read. A real page turner.
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 | Lost Light |
| "Bosch at his best!!" | 2007-06-28 |
The newly retired Harry Bosch hauls out an old, unsolved case and has a go at it. A murder victim, a 2 million dollar heist, the FBI, terrorists - this is the Harry Bosch I love! Mr. Connolly continues to flesh out Bosch's complex character and deliver a first rate police procedural in the process. This is one of the best in the series.
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 | Lost Light: A Novel |
| "Bosch at his best!!" | 2007-06-28 |
The newly retired Harry Bosch hauls out an old, unsolved case and has a go at it. A murder victim, a 2 million dollar heist, the FBI, terrorists - this is the Harry Bosch I love! Mr. Connolly continues to flesh out Bosch's complex character and deliver a first rate police procedural in the process. This is one of the best in the series.
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 | Lost Light |
| "Bosch at his best!!" | 2007-06-28 |
The newly retired Harry Bosch hauls out an old, unsolved case and has a go at it. A murder victim, a 2 million dollar heist, the FBI, terrorists - this is the Harry Bosch I love! Mr. Connolly continues to flesh out Bosch's complex character and deliver a first rate police procedural in the process. This is one of the best in the series.
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 | Horseman Pass by |
| "How The West Was Lost" | 2007-06-27 |
This great , first novel by Mr. McMurtry was the basis for the movie HUD. McMurtry captures the passing of the "Old West". The grandfather, Homer Bannon, is trying to hang on to a dying way of life. His stepson Hud is trying to force his will onto Homer. Lonnie, Homer's grandson, is caught in the middle. Mr. McMurtry paints the western landscape in manner that few writers can approach. If you have read Mr. McMurtry's later work, I encourage you to go back and pick up this slim gem of a book.
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 | The Sinister Pig |
| "A Return to Hillerman" | 2007-06-27 |
I had not read Mr. Hillerman in awhile. I was on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and ran out of reading material. I picked up "The Sinister Pig" and was very glad I did! It felt like I had returned to some old friends (Jim Chee and Joe Leaphorn). The plot involves murder, oil, drugs, and politics. A great, quick read.
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 | Horseman, Pass By : A Novel |
| "How The West Was Lost" | 2007-06-27 |
This great , first novel by Mr. McMurtry was the basis for the movie HUD. McMurtry captures the passing of the "Old West". The grandfather, Homer Bannon, is trying to hang on to a dying way of life. His stepson Hud is trying to force his will onto Homer. Lonnie, Homer's grandson, is caught in the middle. Mr. McMurtry paints the western landscape in manner that few writers can approach. If you have read Mr. McMurtry's later work, I encourage you to go back and pick up this slim gem of a book.
|
 | The Black Ice |
| "Early Bosch" | 2007-03-26 |
I am going backwards through the Bosch series. I started a year ago with "The Closers" and have worked my way backward. It is an early Bosch. This story has Harry Bosch investigating the "suicide" of a fellow police officer. As you might expect, nothing is as it is first percieved. Bosch battles the bad guys in all forms - crooks and bosses. Mr. Connelly is the best crime writer working today.
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 | City of Bones |
| "Bones and Bosch" | 2007-01-14 |
Mr. Connelly's Harry Bosch continues to be one of the most intriguing characters in crime fiction. This story revolves around a set of newly discovered bones on a hill side in Laurel Canyon. The bones are 20 years old and Harry sets about unravelling the mystery. What sets Bosch apart is his depth and flaws. Mr. Connelly's scores big in several ways. First, is the depth he adds for all his characters. Secondly, his crisp writing moves the plot along at a good pace. Lastly, the touches of the police procedural are like no other writer that I have encountered in crime fiction. His writing is addictively good. This ranks with "The Poet" as my 2 favorites - so far.
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 | City of Bones |
| "Bones and Bosch" | 2007-01-14 |
Mr. Connelly's Harry Bosch continues to be one of the most intriguing characters in crime fiction. This story revolves around a set of newly discovered bones on a hill side in Laurel Canyon. The bones are 20 years old and Harry sets about unravelling the mystery. What sets Bosch apart is his depth and flaws. Mr. Connelly's scores big in several ways. First, is the depth he adds for all his characters. Secondly, his crisp writing moves the plot along at a good pace. Lastly, the touches of the police procedural are like no other writer that I have encountered in crime fiction. His writing is addictively good. This ranks with "The Poet" as my 2 favorites - so far.
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