THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB discussion

Amadale but Wilkie Collins

I finished Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi.

The story follows the lives and descendants of two half-sisters - strangers to each other - born in mid-1700s Africa. One sister was married off to a British officer who ran the slave trade while the other sister became a slave in the American south. Excellent book. 4 stars.

My complete review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I am currently reading these three books enjoying them quite a bit

I finished The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin.

This is the first book of a sci-fi trilogy that's been creating a lot of buzz.
It's not a mystery, but there's plenty of mysterious stuff going on.

Good story, set in China during the Cultural Revoluton. 4.5 stars.

My complete review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I just got done reading these
Field of Graves by J.T. Ellison
I Love this one so much It a prequel to her Taylor Jackson series and it show how she started to date John Baldwin and her friendship with Samantha Owens

As Night Falls by Jenny Milchman
This is the first book i read from her and I really loved it. I was hook from the start to the end

Sleeping Beauty by Phillip Margolin
This is a reread and this was the first book i ever read from Phillip I decide to reread it and see if i still like it and I do IMO its my fav from him

NYPD Red 4 by James Patterson
I really didnt care for this one alot. As a James Patterson fan it let me down

Poisonous by Allison Brennan
I really didnt care for this one that much

A Body to Die For by Kate White
I really loved this one too!

I finished A Time of Torment by John Connolly

Private Detective Charlie Parker investigates the disappearance of an ex-convict who was previously framed by a reclusive cultish community. Charlie and his pals (Angel and Louis) are skillful killers AND Charlie has supernatural connections. What more could you want? Interesting thriller. 3.5 stars.

My complete revew:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Took with me on a two week holiday two of Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe novels, which were quite good, and an extraordinary novel (I'm less than a third of the way in) by Marlon James called A Brief History of Seven Killings.

I am reading the New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/20...

I saw this on "Democracy Now" and I am sure it is going to be wonderful.

Douglas Adams= Hitchhikers Guide. Saw the movies and the BBC tv episodes and wanted to see the real vs hllywd chngs.

I finished The Dark Forest by Liu Cixin.

This is book two of a trilogy that starts with The Three-Body Problem. In this book a fleet of Trisolaran aliens is headed for Earth, and humans are trying to prepare for the battle of their lives. Earth is stymied though, by the very advanced technology of the aliens. Good book with interesting philosophical underpinnings. 4 stars.

My complete review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Dying for a Date
I just finished Dying for a Date by Cindy Sample. It was pretty funny. I don't know if it's considered a cozy or not.

I finished Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty.

An unfortunate incident at a barbeque in Sydney, Australia upsets the lives of three couples. There's currently lots of hype about this book but it was just okay for me.
3 stars.

My complete review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished Robert B. Parker's Damned If You Do by Michael Brandman.

In this continuation of the 'Jesse Stone' series (with a new author) Police Chief Jesse Stone looks into the murder of a prostitute and sets his sights on taking down an abusive nursing home. The book's not up to Robert B. Parker's standards. 3 stars.

My complete review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Reading Star Trek Memories by William Shatner

Any Star Trek fans out there? :)

Barbara wrote: "Reading Star Trek Memories by William Shatner

Any Star Trek fans out there? :)"

If I get the audio book, does Bill sing?

No singing :)

I'm currently reading The Guilty by David Baldacci. It's more of a Who-Done-It, than a pure thriller, but it's very well done.
I also read to my 14-year-old son every night before bed, (Yes, he's in high school and is embarrassed by my mere presence outside of our home, but I've read to him since he was a toddler and old habits die hard.) So I just finished reading The Lost Boy, by Tim Green, and it was very well written for a sports book, by an ex-professional athlete. I would recommend it for any teenager who likes sports or dramas.

I finished Star Trek Memories by William Shatner.

A very entertaining and interesting overview of the making of the original Star Trek television series. If you're a fan, you'd like it. 4.5 stars.

My complete review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Gary wrote: "I'm currently reading The Guilty by David Baldacci. It's more of a Who-Done-It, than a pure thriller, but it's very well done.
I also read to my 14-year-old son every night before bed, (Yes, he's i..."

I think it's great that you read to your son :)

I'm reading Dogbone Soup, by Bette Stevens, an excellent novel about a boy growing up in poverty in New England in the 1960s. He is called names by other kids in school and expected to go into manual labor like his father, but he does well in school for a while and begins to think about escaping the cycle. It's a very realistic story. At the same time I read Take Five, 4 essays plus one by Augusten Burroughs. Quite a different take on growing up in New England, middle class and besotted with TV. An interesting combination.

Barbara wrote: "Gary wrote: "I'm currently reading The Guilty by David Baldacci. It's more of a Who-Done-It, than a pure thriller, but it's very well done.
I also read to my 14-year-old son every night before bed,..."

Thanks Barbara, I figure I've got another year before I need 3 forms of ID to get into his bedroom.

I finished Star Trek Movie Memories by William Shatner.

This book, about the Star Trek movies, is a sequel to Shatner's book about the TV series. Good book, with interesting stories. Film-making is a very complex business....and this inside look - focusing on Star Trek - is quite informative. 4 stars.

My complete review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished The Whole Art of Detection: Lost Mysteries of Sherlock Holmes
by Lyndsay Faye.

In these 'new' Sherlock Holmes stories Lyndsay Faye wonderfully captures the language and spirit of the original tales. I'm a big Sherlock Holmes fan and I enjoyed every story in this book.
5 stars.

My complete review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished Far From True by Linwood Barclay.

This is the second book in the "Promise Falls Trilogy." While crimes from book one are still unresolved another disaster is added in this book. The screen of a drive in movie theater is blown up and four people are killed. Detective Barry Duckworth is on the job....as is P.I. Cal Weaver. The book is a page turner. 3.5 stars.

My complete review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I recommend this book for anyone interested in learning about the great days of publishing. The story focuses on Max Perkins' relationship with three of the best writers of their time or any time - Ernest Hemingway, Thomas Wolfe and F. Scott Fitzgerald. The research is amazing. It is very much a human story on how this great editor moved these writers to do their best work. He did it tactfully, realizing that his input was extremely important, he did not force his opinions on them in a manner that would encroach on their creativity. There is a lot of tension and anger in this very delicate relationship as is always the case in a creative atmosphere. In particular, the book deals a great deal in the relationship with Thomas Wolfe as he wrote two of his greatest works - Look Homeward Angel and Of time and The River. There is plenty of personal narrative as well involving friends and family of these talents. Max Perkins: Editor of Genius

Two days ago, I began reading the novel "Eva Sleeps" by Francesca Melandri.



It is a story about love, relationships, language and identity spanning several generations of a family rooted in a part of Northern Italy - the Tyrol, which retains a strong Germanic influence from a time when it was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

I finished Dear Mr. M by Herman Koch

This literary suspense novel is about an author, Mr. M, whose
neighbor is spying on him. This may be connected to the fact that Mr. M's most successful book - released 40 years ago - was based on a true life occurence in which a teen couple was accused of killing their teacher. The book plods a little but held my attention. 3.5 stars

My complete review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished Death's End by Liu Cixin.

This is the last book in Liu's science fiction trilogy. In this book the human race is in deadly peril and scientists try to devise clever methods to save it. The entire trilogy is excellent and this book is the best of the bunch. Highly recommended to sci-fi fans.
4.5 stars.

My complete review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke.

In this first book in the series Hannah Swensen, owner of 'The Cookie Jar' bakery, sets out to solve two murders in between baking a lot of cookies. She also meets the two eligible bachelors that form her long-term romantic triangle.
Good cozy mystery. 3 stars.

My complete review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Last week, I began reading Eva Sleeps by Francesca Melandri, which is one of those generational novels that sheds light on a part of the world that has now piqued my interest. That is, the Tyrol region of Italy with its decidedly Germanic character, which prior to 1919, had been part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. German continues to be spoken there as much as Italian.

KOMET wrote: "Last week, I began reading Eva Sleeps by Francesca Melandri, which is one of those generational novels that sheds light on a part of the world that has now piqued m..."

Apparently this book is being made into a movie. I hope it's good.... :)

I finished The Upright Thinkers: The Human Journey from Living in Trees to Understanding the Cosmos by Leonard Mlodinow.

The book discusses the human journey from primitive hunter-gatherers to the smarty pants we are today. Wonderful overview of the various scientific revolutions....and very funny as well. If you like science you'll like this book. 4.5 stars.

My complete review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished Miss Seeton Rocks the Cradle by Hamilton Crane.

This cozy mystery series centers around Miss Seeton, a retired art teacher whose drawings help the police catch criminals. In this book Miss Seeton goes to Scotland, where she inadvertently thrusts herself into the middle of a nefarious plot. Humorous cozy. 3 stars.

My complete review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult.

Ruth Jefferson is an experienced black nurse forbidden to touch a newborn baby because the parents are white supremacists. The baby has a crisis and Ruth is blamed, leading to a trial. Picoult uses the story to explore racism in America. Good story. 3.5 stars.

My complete review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Scarecrow by Scott Nicholson

I picked it up a few months back when it was free and decided to start reading it for Halloween. Also I know Scott on here and I've been meaning to read some of his work as he is one of the best current horror authors.

Here is what I have read in last 4 weeks or more
All Dressed in White by Mary Higgins Clark Really loving this series by MHC and Alafair Burke and i cant wait to read their 4th book of this series

In the Dark of the Night by John Saul This is a re read i read it before in 2010 and i read it again this year its still a great John Saul bookThe House of Thunder

Lethally Blond by Kate White Great Mystery I am really loving this series

Kill Me by Stephen White an okay of an book by Dean Koontz Very great older book from Dean Koontz if you like his books and havent read it yet give it a shot

Miss Marple: The Complete Short Stories by Agatha Christie Great Short stories from the Queen Of Mystery

15th Affair by James Patterson Cant believe I am going say this you guys know how much i love James books but this one was so damn awful its like i was watching Daytime soaps!

Sycamore Row by John Grisham I really loved this one it was a sequel to his A Time to Kill which is one of my favs from him beside "The Clint. If you like A Time To Kill give this one a read

The Shining by Stephen King A Reread still one my favs from him

The Dark Monk by Oliver Pötzsch I bought thisa off ebay since I loved his first book in his Hangman's Daughter and I love this one too so I will be trying to get the rest of his series

A Game For All The Family by Sophie Hannah This book as bloody awful!

Death Wears a Beauty Mask and Other Stories by Mary Higgins Clark Great short stories from the Queen Of Mystery!

Well i am going to the library today ;)

I finished Born a Crime by Trevor Noah.

The book is a memoir about Trevor Noah (the new host of 'The Daily Show') growing up in South Africa at the end of apartheid. The story is well-written, enlightening, poignant, and humorous. It also provides some insight into the policy of apartheid. Highly recommended. 4.5 stars.

My complete review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I recently finished , a novel about Dr. Mengele and the tortures he perpetrated against twins during WWII and it was so well-written, so thoroughly researched, that it inspired me to learn more. Today I started reading and it is difficult to put it down. I am embarrassed to admit that I am woefully ignorant when it comes to this period in history and have decided to educate myself.

Kath wrote: "I recently finished , a novel about Dr. Mengele and the tortures he perpetrated against twins during WWII and it was so well-written, so thoroughly researched, that it..."

It's difficult to read these kinds of books. Depressing to think how evil people can be.

I finished I Suck at Girls by Justin Halpern,

In this memoir Justin Halpern tells funny stories about his life - from childhood to early adulthood. Includes priceless remarks by Justin's dad. Enjoyable quick read. 3.5 stars

My complete review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

A few days ago, I finished reading the novel "Escape" by Dominique Manotti, a novelist and professor of 19th century economic history in France.



This is the 5th novel from Manotti that I've had the pleasure of reading. What makes them so compelling and hard-to-put-down is that she has an unerring knack for putting the reader in the heart of the action from the very beginning. With an economy of words, Manotti sketches out the salient features and mannerisms of the main characters, puts them into a challenging situation or two, and the reader is taken on a thrilling ride.

Escape is set between Italy and France during 1987 and 1988. It has the elements of a prison break, a failed bank robbery in Northern Italy, one of the escapees (a handsome petty thief in his early 20s) finding sanctuary in Paris, and high political intrigue as played out between Rome and Paris.

I finished Home by Harlan Coben.

In this 11th book in the series Myron and Win reunite to rescue two teenage boys who were kidnapped 10 years ago. Good mystery with plenty of murder and mayhem.
3.5 stars.

My complete review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan.

In this memoir Susannah Calahan talks about developing a serious 'brain illness' when she 24 years old. Her symptoms were so bizarre and severe that she was almost committed to a mental hospital. Informative interesting story. 3.5 stars.

My complete review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished The Drunkard's Walk: How Randomness Rules Our Lives by Leonard Mlodinow.

The author talks about probability and statistics in a way that's interesting (and accessible to non-experts). It turns out 'random events' have a bigger effect on our lives than we might think. Some of my favorite parts were about historical mathematicians/philosophers who developed probability theory. They were a colorful bunch.
4 stars.

My complete review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished Orange Crush by Tim Dorsey.

This comic novel about political chicanery in Florida....particularly during the 2001 Governor's race.....made me laugh out loud.
3.5 stars.

My complete review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Last night, I had the pleasure of attending a book reading at a local independent bookstore where the writer Dava Sobel was speaking about her new book, "The Glass Universe: How the Ladies of the Harvard Observatory Took the Measure of the Stars".

Later, after the reading and Q&A session, I had the pleasure of meeting Dava Sobel, having her autograph my copy of The Glass Universe: How the Ladies of the Harvard Observatory Took the Measure of the Stars, and also thanking her for one of her previous books (i.e., Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time) that I had the pleasure of reading back in the early 1990s.


But for now, I highly recommend The Glass Universe: How the Ladies of the Harvard Observatory Took the Measure of the Stars.

I finished A Brief History of Creation: Science and the Search for the Origin of Life by Bill Mesler.

This book is about the evoluton of ideas about the origin of life through history. The subject is very interesting but the writing is too dry. I think it needed a touch more humor. Still worth reading. 3 stars.

My complete review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished The Whistler by John Grisham.

A whistle-blower accuses a Florida judge of serious corruption. The resulting investigation leads to a tragedy but lets the FBI take down some very bad criminals. The book is just okay for me. 3 stars.

My complete review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished The Orphan Master by Jean Zimmerman.

In this historical mystery, set in the 1660s, orphans are disappearing from the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam, and an intrepid young 'she-merchant' (female trader) is determined to find out what's happening. The best part of the book is the vivid depiction of New Amsterdam (the author is a historian).
Interesting book. 3.5 stars

My complete revew:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished Abandon by Blake Crouch

In 1893 everyone disappeared from the gold-mining mountain town of Abandon, Colorado. In 2009, a small expedition sets out to discover what happened all those years ago. This is essentially a dual adventure story with lots of blood and gore. Good book (just not my favorite genre). 3 stars for me.

My complete review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...