THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB discussion

With the coming of the New Year, I finished reading "Ace" by Spencer Dunmore. This novel traces the arc of a Luftwaffe fighter pilot's career from fledgling flyer in the summer of 1940 to battle-weary ace and darling of the nation in the winter of 1944. It's one of the best novels of the genre that I've read in quite a while. In particular, the aerial combat scenes and the descriptions of the individual flying experiences at the cockpit level are very vivid, giving the reader a palpable sense of 'you are there.'

Just got done reading these
Life Expectancy by Dean Koontz It was a reread. Still one of my favs from Dean Koontz

Night Film by Marisha Pessl I been meaning to read this sooner but i finally found it but i found at dollar tree last friday i couldnt believe it how much i pay a 1.00 for it. I really liked it alot going check out some more from her.

Now I am reading The Kept Woman by Karin Slaughter I won it in November as a giveaway on goodreads it finally come in on Jan 3. Cant wait to get it read

Also be reading these too Bone Cold by Erica Spindler My aunt bought this off ebay for my christmas but it finally come in the mail yesterday

Also will be reading this too If She Only Knew by Lisa Jackson Bought Monday at walmart i read this before back years ago but i don't remember it

Also i am going to the library today too and take back some books need taken back.

Nice bunch of books Shannon :)

I finished Imperfect Justice: Prosecuting Casey Anthony by Jeff Ashton.

This non-fiction book is about the the 2011 trial of Casey Anthony - accused of murdering her 2-year-old daughter Caylee.
Prosecutor Jeff Ashton describes the arrest and trial of Casey, all of which was a media circus at the time. 3 stars.

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

I finished Imperfect Justice: Prosecuting Casey Anthony by Jeff Ashton.

This non-fiction book is about the the 2011 trial of Casey Anthony - accused of murdering her 2-year-old daughter Caylee.
Prosecutor Jeff Ashton describes the arrest and trial of Casey, all of which was a media circus at the time. 3 stars.

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

I have started Salman Rushdie's Two Years Eight Months and Twenty-Eight Nights.

Several days ago, I began reading the novel "The Haj" by Leon Uris.

Many years ago, I read his best-selling novel, Exodus, which impressed me a lot in its telling of the struggles of the Jews both within Palestine and those who arrived there in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War to help form and defend the new State of Israel from its inception on May 14, 1948. Reading this novel made me keen to know of Palestine during those years from the Arab perspective. Hence, my present reading of The Haj.

I finished Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris.

Grace and Jack Angel seem to be the perfect couple, but things are bleak behind the scenes. Lots of people loved this psychological thriller but (for me) it's too slow-moving and the premise is not believable. 3 stars.

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

I finished The Trespasser by Tana French.

This sixth book in the Dublin Murder Squad series can be read as a standalone. In this story newbie murder detectives Antoinette Conway and Steve Moran investigate the case of a beautiful woman killed in her home. Though the boyfriend is a strong suspect the partners want to investigate further.....even though other cops pressure them to close the case. Good book but not among Tana French's best. 3 stars.

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

Just got done reading Divine Evil by Nora Roberts This book was good but creepy as hell with all the devil worship, animal sacrifice and rapes. Lets just say Its a good thing I like Horror books and Movies if i didnt i probley couldnt read all this

I also got done listen to Psycho by Robert Bloch Someone had the whole autobook on youtube and I listen to it. I liked it alot just like the movie

Shannon wrote: "Just got done reading Divine Evil by Nora Roberts This book was good but creepy as hell with all the devil worship, animal sacrifice and rapes. Lets just say Its a good t..."

"Psycho" was on TV just the other day. Always worth watching. Tony Perkins is brilliant as a nutcase in the film.

I finished Tippi: A Memoir by Tippi Hedren

In this memoir Tippi talks about making the 'The Birds' and 'Marnie' with Alfred Hitchcock.....and Hitchcock's obsession with her.
Most of the book, however, is about Tippi and her (then) husband Noel Marshall establishing an animal preseve (mostly) for big cats and making the wild animal film 'Roar.'
Pretty good book but way too much about making the film. 3 stars.

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

Exciting news. My first novel, TRAPPED, which is loaded with 5-star reviews (Most common comment: "I couldn't put it down."), is now available as an audio book. My "Producer" did a terrific job of expressing the emotions that go into the characters, and I couldn't be happier. Listeners should be aware that there are a few moderately graphic sex scenes that are NOT gratuitous, but are an integral part of the story.

The audio book is available at Audible.com at the link below:

http://www.audible.com/pd/Mysteries-T...

SPECIAL OFFER: If you have NEVER PURCHASED from Audible.com, contact me at: suspenseguy(at)AOL(dot)com for a promo offer on how to get this great audio book for free. This offer is only good for anyone who is a FIRST TIME BUYER at Audible.com

If you buy the book, please go on Audible.com and/or the Amazon site and leave an honest review. Hopefully, they'll be 5-Star and that helps sales. Here's the link:

Thanks in advance for your support.

George A Bernstein
The Suspense GuyTrapped

I finished Fatal by John Lescroart.

Kate Jameson - a happily married woman - has sex with a man she meets at a dinner party. This has serious consequences.
Six months later the man is killed and Kate's detective friend, Beth Tully, gets the case.
This new standalone isn't as good as Lescroart's 'Dismas Hardy' series....but it's okay.
3 stars.

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

I just started "Bresson on Bresson- Interviews 1944-1983." Ilove his films especially "Diary of a Country Priest," "Moiuchette," "Au Hasard Balthazar" & previously read his "Notes on Cinematography." He's a minamalist. I recently saw "Umberto D" directed by Vittorio de Sica in which there were no professional actors & loved it. I wanted to see if there was a connection between Bresson & Italian New Wave cinema. Bresson has a difficult aesthetic to get your head around but well worth the effort. Less is usually more & that applies to writing as well.
JM Garlock
"The Centurion Chronicles"

Rachel Rosing by Howard Spring circa 1935 (just finished the 1st -Shabby Tiger- wonderful Manchester born author. )

I finished The Republican Brain: The Science of Why They Deny Science--and Reality by Chris C. Mooney

In this book Moony attempts to explain why conservative Republicans are adamant in their denial of global warming, evolution.....that Obama was born in the U.S, etc. Apparently they're not being purposely difficult or obdurate. It has to do with how their brains work. So that's good to know. LOL

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

I finished Until Proven Guilty by J.A. Jance

This is the first book in the "JP Beaumont" mystery series. Beau and his new partner have to solve the murder of a 5-year-old girl involved with a cult. Way too much unlikely romance in this introduction to the series....but worth reading to meet the characters.
2.5 stars

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

I finished I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life by Ed Yong,

Our bodies are covered with microbes - inside and out - and it's hard to fathom all the ways they help us and allow us to survive. In this book Ed Yong explores the world of microorganisms with an emphasis on 'microbiomes' - the aggretation of bacteria, viruses, etc. associated with living organisms. Fascinating stuff told with a nice sense of humor. 5 stars.

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

I'm now reading the novel "High Fidelity" by Nick Hornby. The focus of the novel is on a man in his mid-30s, Rob, who owns a modest record shop in 1990s London. Rob is a bit of a jerk, at times insensitive to the important people in his life. But he isn't necessarily a completely heartless person. He has his sensitive side.

The novel at turns is laugh out loud funny, engaging, and well-written. I'm thoroughly enjoying the experience.

KOMET wrote: "I'm now reading the novel "High Fidelity" by Nick Hornby.
The novel at turns is laugh out loud funny, engaging, and well-written. I'm thoroughly enjoying the experience..."

I like funny books.

for my book club and also reading: 2nd book in the Illuminae series &

I finished Very Good, Jeeves! by P.G. Wodehouse.

A fun book of stories about Bertie Wooster and his valet Jeeves. Bertie is a rather dim toff who constantly gets into hilarious scrapes....and Jeeves is the gentleman's gentleman who makes things right. Good for a laugh. 3.5 stars.

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

I'm in the midst of reading "Drive!: Henry Ford, George Selden, and the Race to Invent the Auto Age" by Lawrence Goldstone. It tells a fascinating story of how the automobile was developed (through the efforts of many people over several decades of the late 19th and early 20th centuries) and promoted to the general public.

Jennifer and Rick: I don't "write" it out. I "type or keyboard" it and then eventually it sinks in...eventually. I also stand before a mirror and read it aloud several times. That helps also.

I am reading the biography William Golding: The Man Who Wrote Lord of the Flies, by John Carey. I am only a few pages into it and I already know it's going to be superb. I wanted to get inspired by reading about an amazing author's life . It is the only biography written about Golding as he did not want any biographer asking questions about his life while he was alive. I can highly recommend this one for its incredible research. Carey had access to all of Golding personal papers and journal. A treasure trove of information.
William Golding: The Man Who Wrote "Lord Of The Flies"

I'm now reading the mystery novel "The 12.30 from Croydon" by Freeman Wills Crofts, which was originally published in 1934.

The novel has an interesting twist, which is a complete departure from the 'whodunit' mystery novel.

I finished Mercies in Disguise: A Story of Hope, a Family's Genetic Destiny, and the Science That Rescued Them by Gina Kolata.

This book is about the Baxley family of South Carolina, who carry the gene for a terribly debilitating neurodegenerative disease. If a blood test could tell you whether or not you had a deadly mutation would you want to find out? Amanda Baxley has to decide. Good book about the illness and the family. 4 stars.

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

I finished The Black Widow by Daniel Silva.

Gabriel Allon is about to become head of the Israeli spy agency when he gets pulled into another assignment. Following ISIS attacks in Europe Gabriel trains an agent to infiltrate the terrorist organizaton. Good book (but Gabriel take a backseat in the action). 3.5 stars.

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

I finished Alena by Rachel Pastan.

In this homage to Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier the owner of a museum on Cape Cod hires a novice curator at the Venice Bienalle. He brings her back to the museum where the general manager hates the new curator because she's replacing Alena, who disappeared two years before. Not a completely successful update of Rebecca but an okay book. 3 stars

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

Began reading this morning (March 9th, 2017) the book "The Reporter Who Knew Too Much: The Mysterious Death of What's My Line TV Star and Media Icon Dorothy Kilgallen" by Mark Shaw. FASCINATING STUFF.

I finished The Breakdown by B.A. Paris.

After Cass fails to assist a woman stranded on a lonely road in the rain, she hears the woman has been murdered. Cass's guilt and shock - as well as her fear that she's getting early onset dementia - push her toward a mental breakdown. This second psychological suspense novel by Paris is just okay for me.
3 stars

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

I finished Wayfaring Stranger by James Lee Burke

Weldon Holland (grandson of Hackberry Holland for fans of that series) meets Bonnie and Clyde; becomes a WWII hero; marries a woman he rescues from a Nazi concentration camp; and goes into the oil pipeline business with his former sergeant. When he attracts the attention of Texas oil barons....big trouble starts. Highly recommended standalone from this fine author. 4 stars.

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

I finished There's Nothing in This Book That I Meant to Say by Paula Poundstone

This memoir by the famous comic is hilarious and touching. It was written after Poundstone's arrest and punishment for child endangerment in 2001 (driving her kids while drunk), and a lot of the humor stems from that. (Poundstone has apparently been on the wagon since then.)
4 stars.

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

Yesterday, I began reading the book "Hawker VC- RFC Ace: The Life of Major Lanoe Hawker VC DSO 1890-1916" by his younger brother Tyrrel M. Hawker MC.



I'm very much enjoying reading this book about what was a truly remarkable aviator, who was the first British fighter ace of the First World War.

I am starting "The Winter People". I gave it to my daughter for Christmas and she liked it.

I finished Are You Sleeping by Kathleen Barber

Josie Buhrman left her hometown after her father was murdered, her mother joined a cult, and her twin betrayed her. Now, a new podcast about Josie's dad - questioning the guilt of the convicted killer - is upsetting Josie's world. Okay story but the characters aren't too likable. 3 stars

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

My computer is still in the shop right now I am using my aunts to post this

I have read these two books On What Grounds & Through the Grinder by Cleo Coyle I really loved this books its the first 2 in the series it was a cozy mysrery/muder someone at my library was talking about the series and for the first two books i read i liked it alot

Now I am reading these
The Chemist by Stephenie Meyer & Deceived by James Scott Bell

Hopeful they have my computer fix ASAP!

Shannon wrote: "My computer is still in the shop right now I am using my aunts to post this

Hopeful they have my computer fix ASAP!
..."

Good luck with the computer :)

I finished The Sins of the Father by Jeffrey Archer.

This is book 2 of 'The Clifton Chronicles' a saga of two British families. In this book, which takes place during WWII, the 'good guys' distinguish themselves and the 'bad guys' (eventually) gets their just deserts. It's interesting to see how all this happens. Good story. 3.5 stars.

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

Just got done reading these two books

The Chemist by Stephenie MeyerAs fan of her twilight series i was very shock to see that she wrote a book thats not about Vampires but I though i would give it a shot and I liked it alot
PS I WASN'T A FAN OF THE MOVIES THAT MUCH

Deceived by James Scott Bell i really didnt care for it

Also my computer is home. They had to put a new hard drive in it

I finished The Cleaner by Paul Cleave.

A serial killer is raping and murdering women in Christchurch, Zealand - and the killer has insinuated himself into a janitor's job at the police station. The story is told mostly from the murderer's POV. Pretty good thriller. 3 stars.

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

Shannon wrote:

"Also my computer is home. They had to put a new hard drive in it ..."

Glad your computer's back :)

I finished Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things by Jenny Lawson

Jenny Lawson is a seriously amusing lady who happens to suffer from a laundry list of mental and physical difficulties. In this memoir she talks about her problems, provides encouragement to people with similar issues, and tells a BUNCH of funny stories. Good book. 3.5 stars.

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

I finished Harry's Justice by Andy Wiseman.

Ex-con Harry Windsor is trying to go straight when the search for a missing girl brings him into contact with Russian mobsters and his old criminal boss. Very good thriller. (Graphic violence) 3.5 stars.

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

Here some books I just got finish

It by Stephen King One of my favs Stephen King book ever. I reread it because of the movie and Also i bought the paperback at walmart the other day I had the hardback and its about had it LOL!

Rage by Richard Bachman AKA Stephen King one of SK older books as when he wrote as Richard Bacman. I listen to the audio book on youtube. I liked it

I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh really loved this book i so gonna have to check out her other books

Reading Now
Different Seasons by Stephen King & The Dry by Jane Harper

Shannon wrote: "Here some books I just got finish

It by Stephen King One of my favs Stephen King book ever. I reread it because of the movie and Also i bought the paperback at walmart t..."

I think 'It" was my first Stephen King book. It made quite an impression! :)

I finished Hag-Seed by Margaret Atwood.

This book is part of the Hogarth Shakespeare Project, in which famous authors re-tell and modernize the bard's great works. Hag-Seed is a modern version of 'The Tempest.' Atwood's book is very inventive and creative....well worth reading if you like this type of thing. 4 stars.

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

I finished Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris.

This loosely autobiographical memoir consists of a series of hilarious essays by the well-known humorist. 4 stars.

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

Just got done reading
The Dry by Jane Harper It was okay of a book from a new author for me. I hope to read more from her.

Different Seasons by Stephen King I really love his older short stories! Very good! My fav had to be "The Body" which turn into "Stand by Me" movie in the 80's

The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon A Very good book my aunt bought it for me It was very good. She also bought me The Night Sister from her too i will read it one thes days

Latte Trouble by Cleo Coyle It's 3rd in her Coffeehouse mystery. I really loved this one cozy mystery book i am hoping to read all in this series

Memory Man by David Baldacci Very Good book. I am hoping to read this whole series