Finished DAUGHTER OF REGALS & OTHER TALES

 

I have missed Stephen R Donaldson.  There is a huge amount of inventiveness in his stories.  Remember in Thomas Covenant how he'd create a fabulous character and then just kill him off and create another one?  He writes fantasy, but also science fiction.  I even enjoyed his non-fiction account of why he enjoys writing short stories.  He almost always makes me think with his multifaceted characters, strange situations, fantastic worlds, and inventive plots.

I have now started Murder in the First Edition by Lauren Elliott.  I have messed up.  This the third in a series, and I thought it was the first.  The other two are still on my shelf.  Oh, well.  I don't feel left hanging at all, all characters are introduced well and I am not lost.  Because I was a reading teacher, I am drawn to books set in libraries, bookstores, classrooms, and in the writing studios of authors.  This mystery has started with a dead body and a missing very valuable book, both of which the police are reluctant to label as suspicious, much to the protagonist's (and my) frustration.

Finished BOOM TOWN

 

After many years in New York City, the author returns to Lake Wobegon and discovers it much changed with tech start-ups and new money.  In addition several of his high school friends are dying.  The book is not gloomy, however.  It is full of warm interactions with acquaintances old and new as forces are working against change as well as for it.

The author's sense of humor reminds me of Mark Twain's talks.  Keillor of course was a radio personality where I believe this sense of humor would work better, maybe as well as Mark Twain's did live.  As I mentioned before, though the stories told are humorous, I don't remember them as I start the next paragraph.  This is not (far from it) a pan on Twain's novels, even his travelogues.   Keillor's work offers nothing by which those could be compared.

I have now started Daughter of Regals & Other Tales by Stephen Donaldson.  Finding this was serendipity.  We had gone to Half Price Books to sell about 3 years worth of books we have read.  It was a large pile (four or more boxes) and had to wait while they tallied them, so we browsed a bit and right away I found this.  It was evidently written after he finished the second of his Covenant trilogies.  I have just started the first story which has already enticed me, but his introduction was an interesting account of why writers find short stories appealing.

Finished THE UNKNOWN

 

I always enjoy these Heather Graham's books.  Often they are set it cities where I have lived or visited, which is fun.  This one was relaxing and fun, as usual.

I am now going back to Boom Town.  Garrison Keillor came to me highly recommended by someone I greatly respect.  But, well, I find the stories he tells amusing while I am reading them, but have lost them from my head almost immediately after.  Just not strong enough to grab my attention.  But, perhaps I will finish the book this time...

Finished 50 more pages of WAR AND PEACE

 

The early part of the war continues to be characterized by inept arrogant officers, and eager cavalry/ infantry.  Napoleon is much better at strategy than this early German/ Prussian general who has started leading the eastern forces.

l have now started The Unknown, another Krewe of Hunters novel by Heather Graham.  This one is set again in New Orleans, which appears to be one of the author's favorite locations.  One of mine, too.  This is the second time Sienna has known about a fire and rescued people from the scene, when there is no apparent way she could have known about them.  Naturally, the police suspect her of starting the arson instigated fires.

Finished LET THE RIGHT ONE IN

 

This book is different from most of the books I read.  I usually like happy endings, lush environments, and interesting characters.  This book has the last, but the characters are not likable...there is really no likable character in the entire book, but they are all understandable.  And because of that I kept reading...I wanted to know what happens next to these terribly troubled people.  This book will haunt me awhile.

I have now gone back to War and Peace.  This section of the book begins back in Russia where the dance of finding the marriageable young people mates.  It is a definite contrast to the battlefield in the last section. 

Finished CRUCIBLE, by James Rollins

 

I love this author.  Yes, he seems pretty far-fetched, but much of his book is made up of new scientific discoveries and directions--he just puts them together into a gripping story.  In addition, he has wonderful characters that I, anyway, am emotionally invested in.  This book deals with approaching AI and it's possibilities, and repercussions, both good and bad.  Suspenseful tale.

I have now started Let the Right One In by another Swedish author, John Ajvide Lindqvist.  I love the writing style--lots of dialogue, and when the character is alone, the thinking reads like dialogue.  I don't normally read things classified as horror, though I am not averse to thrillers, supernatural subject matter, or even vampires (big Anne Rice fan.)  One of the reviews of this book compares it to Anne Rice,  I don't see it, though...at least not yet.  None of the characters is really likable (normally a turn-off to me), but protagonists are, at least, understandable--motives are clear and evoke sympathy.  And it is very readable, so I think I will keep reading.

Finished THE SUMMONING GOD

 

This the second book in a trilogy speculating (using archeological evidence) as to why the Anasazi left the four corners area of our country during the 13th century.  The religious war, perpetuated by fanatics, seems by our world's standards, entirely plausible and terribly violent.  It is a novel, though, allowing for compelling characters, environment, and exciting action.  Loved it!

I have now started another Sigma Force novel by James Rollins, Crucible.  Science fiction by a hair, it speculates a race between good guys, bad guys, and mostly businesses to produce a viable AI capable of thinking for itself.  A fabulous mix of science, military technology and knowledge, great characters, and thrilling action.  Timely. I love this series.