Finished Sa 5/10/14 Before the birthday/mother's day cookout at The Brandenburgs
This author was mentioned by a couple of the members in the Contemporary Book Club, and I noticed that I had one of her books in my collection. I liked this one a lot, and plan to check out more from the library.
This is part of a series, but no problem getting into the story.
Set in a small Georgia town in Grant County. A college girl is murdered. Appeared like a suicide, but she was actually stabbed and then weighted down with blocks and put in a lake. Her boyfriend is later also found stabbed.
The reason for the killings was that the young people were blackmailing a local nurse. She was the wayward daughter of the local police chief, Frank. He's a drunk who is dieing of cancer. This nurse was involved with a 'drug testing' operation and she was ripping off the company for more money and the kids thought that they could cut her out of the picture.
Special Agent Will Trent- He is working for Georgia Bureau of Investigation and is called in to oversee the investigation.
Dr. Sara Linton used to live in the town, but moved on. She is at odds with her family, especially her mother, but feels like she owes something to the town. She had been married to the chief of police but he was killed. She blames Lena for the killing. Lena is now a police officer for the town, but Sara feels that she causes trouble wherever she goes, and then gets off.
The Will Tren t character has appeared in the following novels by Slaughter, Triptych, Fractured, Undone, Broken and Fallen.
Wikipedia link
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karin_Slaughter#Will_Trent.2FAtlanta_series
Monday, May 12, 2014
A MAN WITHOUT A COUNTRY by Kurt Vonnegut
Finished Sa 5/10/14
Vonnegut's vitriolic observations, but mostly a diatribe against the reign of George Bush, and the utter stupidity of War.
Witty insights with his own illustrations
Vonnegut's vitriolic observations, but mostly a diatribe against the reign of George Bush, and the utter stupidity of War.
Witty insights with his own illustrations
SNOW FALLING ON CEDARS by David Guterson
Finished Fr 5/9/14
At the last meeting of the Classic Book Club one of the men wanted to read this book next year, and I realized that I had pulled this from my collection and put it in the 'to read' pile. I bought the book in 1999, and only skimmed part of it, but did see the film in 2000. The film is in my Netflix queue, but 'Long Wait'.
Set in Puget Sound (Seattle) on fictional island San Piedro 1954.
Local fisherman has died, drowned in his fishing net. Appears to be murder.
He had been in a land dispute with a local Japanese fisherman. This man's family had been buying the land from his father, but missed a payment when they were put in a camp during WWII. The mother sold off the land to another man because of the payment missed. She refunded the money that they had invested, but the Japanese man wanted his land.
However, there was no murder, but it was an accident. There was a dense fog on the night of the incident, and a large boat crossed into the fishing lanes, and the fisherman was knocked off his mast. He had lashed a lantern to the mast because his batteries were out of juice. The Japanese man had stopped to help him, and gave him a spare battery, and they had settled their land disagreement.
The book is a murder mystery and a courtroom drama, with a bit of romance thrown in. Ishmael is a one-armed journalist who had a love affair with the Japanese man's wife when they were both teenagers.
The drama is set during the winter, and hence the name of the book.
Excellent book, and I can't wait to see the film.
At the last meeting of the Classic Book Club one of the men wanted to read this book next year, and I realized that I had pulled this from my collection and put it in the 'to read' pile. I bought the book in 1999, and only skimmed part of it, but did see the film in 2000. The film is in my Netflix queue, but 'Long Wait'.
Set in Puget Sound (Seattle) on fictional island San Piedro 1954.
Local fisherman has died, drowned in his fishing net. Appears to be murder.
He had been in a land dispute with a local Japanese fisherman. This man's family had been buying the land from his father, but missed a payment when they were put in a camp during WWII. The mother sold off the land to another man because of the payment missed. She refunded the money that they had invested, but the Japanese man wanted his land.
However, there was no murder, but it was an accident. There was a dense fog on the night of the incident, and a large boat crossed into the fishing lanes, and the fisherman was knocked off his mast. He had lashed a lantern to the mast because his batteries were out of juice. The Japanese man had stopped to help him, and gave him a spare battery, and they had settled their land disagreement.
The book is a murder mystery and a courtroom drama, with a bit of romance thrown in. Ishmael is a one-armed journalist who had a love affair with the Japanese man's wife when they were both teenagers.
The drama is set during the winter, and hence the name of the book.
Excellent book, and I can't wait to see the film.
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
GONE GIRL by Gillian Flynn
Reread and finished Mo 5/5/14
I immediately realized that I had read it, but it is such a complex tale and so well written that it's well worth a second look. I enjoyed it just as much the second time through. Checking the list, I first read it last spring.
I immediately realized that I had read it, but it is such a complex tale and so well written that it's well worth a second look. I enjoyed it just as much the second time through. Checking the list, I first read it last spring.
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
BRIGHT SHINY MORNING by James Frey
Finished Tu 4/29/14
Esperanza- Mexican American, good person with gigantic thighs that prevents her from self-acceptance. Works for evil Mrs. Campbell. Her son, Douglas, falls for Esperanza. Love conquers all.
Amberton and Casey Parker. Husband and wife superstars of stage and screen. He's gay and she's lesbian, but they have three kids and are super-rich, influential, and successful. Amberton sexually forces himself on black, ex-football star, Kevin who is a Hollywood lawyer. He gets evidence and sues Amberton for millions, but can't disclose the nature of their prior relationship. Life goes on, untouched for the Parkers.
Dylan and Maddie. Nice, nineteen year old kids who run away to California from Ohio. Drunken parents with no future. He gets a job repairing motorcycles for a biker who is in a gang. One day meth dealers rip off Dylan's boss, torture him. When Dylan frees the man, he notices a big stash of cash and takes $20,000. Splits with Maddie and hides, gets new apartment, and becomes a well-liked golf caddie. He and Maddie marry and then he's killed when the bikers catch up with Dylan. Maddie moves in with Dylan's black boss who is named, Shaka, after an African king.
Old Man Joe- is only 39 years old but looks 70. Decrepit and white hair. Only drinks Chablais and hangs on the boardwalk at Malibu and Venice Beach. Finds Beatrice a young runaway who is badly beaten. She gets taken by a gang and Old Man Joe tries to rescue her. She wants no part of it (is really the daughter of a rich attorney, and is only hanging with the riffraff as a lark) and when Old Man Joe and his friends tries to get her back, the gang shoots and kills OMJ's best friend. He's deeply hurt, but learns to adjust.
Lots of fun facts about the city of LA, but probably not all entirely true.
Not much punctuation in the book, but easy to follow.
Esperanza- Mexican American, good person with gigantic thighs that prevents her from self-acceptance. Works for evil Mrs. Campbell. Her son, Douglas, falls for Esperanza. Love conquers all.
Amberton and Casey Parker. Husband and wife superstars of stage and screen. He's gay and she's lesbian, but they have three kids and are super-rich, influential, and successful. Amberton sexually forces himself on black, ex-football star, Kevin who is a Hollywood lawyer. He gets evidence and sues Amberton for millions, but can't disclose the nature of their prior relationship. Life goes on, untouched for the Parkers.
Dylan and Maddie. Nice, nineteen year old kids who run away to California from Ohio. Drunken parents with no future. He gets a job repairing motorcycles for a biker who is in a gang. One day meth dealers rip off Dylan's boss, torture him. When Dylan frees the man, he notices a big stash of cash and takes $20,000. Splits with Maddie and hides, gets new apartment, and becomes a well-liked golf caddie. He and Maddie marry and then he's killed when the bikers catch up with Dylan. Maddie moves in with Dylan's black boss who is named, Shaka, after an African king.
Old Man Joe- is only 39 years old but looks 70. Decrepit and white hair. Only drinks Chablais and hangs on the boardwalk at Malibu and Venice Beach. Finds Beatrice a young runaway who is badly beaten. She gets taken by a gang and Old Man Joe tries to rescue her. She wants no part of it (is really the daughter of a rich attorney, and is only hanging with the riffraff as a lark) and when Old Man Joe and his friends tries to get her back, the gang shoots and kills OMJ's best friend. He's deeply hurt, but learns to adjust.
Lots of fun facts about the city of LA, but probably not all entirely true.
Not much punctuation in the book, but easy to follow.
Monday, April 28, 2014
PLAYING IN THE BAND- AN ORAL AND VISUAL PORTRAIT OF THE GRATEFUL DEAD by David Gans and Peter Simon
Finished Su 4/28/14
Absolutely the definitive historical account of the early Dead years.
Coffee table sized paperback
Also tidbits on the managerial staff and the tech people that support the band
THE BEAST The huge drum kits for the drummers
Absolutely the definitive historical account of the early Dead years.
Coffee table sized paperback
Also tidbits on the managerial staff and the tech people that support the band
THE BEAST The huge drum kits for the drummers
Friday, April 25, 2014
SWEET CHAOS- THE GRATEFUL DEAD'S AMERICAN ADVENTURE by Carol Brightman
Finished Th 4/25/14
Carol Brightman was a political activist and her sister, Candace, was the Dead's lighting designer for over a quarter century. The book is a blend of 60's political activism and an insider's peek into the band.
She promotes the notion that the audience is encouraged to become the 'seventh member of the band'. And, that the 'Dead Community' or 'Deadheads' and their social structure became more important than the music.
Link to Amazon-
http://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Chaos-Grateful-American-Adventure/dp/0671011170
Carol Brightman was a political activist and her sister, Candace, was the Dead's lighting designer for over a quarter century. The book is a blend of 60's political activism and an insider's peek into the band.
She promotes the notion that the audience is encouraged to become the 'seventh member of the band'. And, that the 'Dead Community' or 'Deadheads' and their social structure became more important than the music.
Link to Amazon-
http://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Chaos-Grateful-American-Adventure/dp/0671011170
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