THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB discussion

The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon by Alexander McCall Smith

Mma. Ramotswe, head of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, looks into two cases: a possbly bogus heir and a curse on a beauty salon. Good gentle cozy. 3.5 stars

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

Dark Tide Rising by Anne Perry

In this 24th book in the 'William Monk' series, the Commander of the Thames River Police investigates a kidnapping. The book can be read as a standalone since there's little reference to past occurrences.
I'm a fan of the Monk novels, but this one wasn't among my favorites. 2 stars

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

I Suck at Girls by Justin Halpern

In this humorous memoir, Justin Halpern tells fun anecdotes about his experiences growing up. Very entertaining. 3.5 stars

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

The Probable Future by Alice Hoffman

Each of the Sparrow women has a 'supernatural' ability, and teenage Stella's vision of a woman being murdered starts trouble and conflict......but love conquers all. 😊💕
3 stars

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

I am reading . Truly fascinating novel which I have no idea how it ever got published back in the early 20th century but quite unique in its take on religion. I am also reading this excellent biography After which I ordered another biography on Julius Caesar which I hope to compare the two and see two historians take on the same subject

Against Medical Advice by James Patterson and Hal Friedman

This is a true story about Cory Friedman, who suffered from Tourette's Syndrome, OCD, and Anxiety Disorder for 13 years, from the ages of about 5 to 18. The book gives a vivid picture of Cory's difficulties and how his family dealt with them. 3.5 stars

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

Rick wrote: "biography on Julius Caesar which I hope to compare" -- Ha, you need to read this to get the unique story of the great man-

https://www.amazon.com/Piercing-Elast...

I'm reading Live Long and. . .What I Learned Along the Way by William Shatner - which I got from Netgalley.

Shatner is waxing very philosophical now that he's 86 years old. 🙂

I'm reading 'Three Soldiers' by John Dos Passos. I had never read his work and knew he was part of that group of American ex-pats in Paris, Hemmingway, Fitzgerald, and ... I'm about a third into the book. I do like his descriptions of the men and times... as he was a man of those times. I'm also reading Colonel David H. Hackworth's Hazardous Duty. Hackworth was the highest-decorated 'living' American soldier after his service in Vietnam. He became nationally known after he publicly criticized the U.S. Military for the way it was waging war in Vietnam. His conclusion was, that the way things were being done, we could not win. He also was agonized by what he felt was the deliberate wasting of young 'war-fighters' on the battlefield due to Washington political considerations. Hack, as he was known affectionately, actually helped me get my Vietnam novel published. Carl Melcher Goes to Vietnam I had never met him, but I found his contact email online, emailed him and told him my story (I'd been trying to find a publisher for the book for over ten years) and he gave me his agent's email address and told me to contact him. I did; he requested the manuscript; I sent it along; about two weeks later he sold it to St. Martin's Press and it was published in 2004. Hack died not long after that, I believe.

Dry by Augusten Burroughs

I'm listening to the audiobook version of this memoir, read by the author.

I'm reading Peter Benchley's JAWS because I should have read it over the summer because it's a summer tradition.

David wrote: "I'm reading Peter Benchley's JAWS because I should have read it over the summer because it's a summer tradition."

After reading it go for a midnight swim in the Atlantic Ocean, off of the Mass coast.

Paul wrote: "David wrote: "I'm reading Peter Benchley's JAWS because I should have read it over the summer because it's a summer tradition."

After reading it go for a midnight swim in the Atlantic Ocean, off o..."

Ha ha ha. 😊

JAWS is my favorite movie of all time. The differences between the book and the movie are fascinating. The tension in the movie is between Hooper and Quint, a class envy thing. The tension in the book is between Hooper and Brody because Hooper is having an affair with Brody's wife. I have always wanted some connection to JAWS in my own work. I had to settle for a blurb from a friend of mine who worked on JAWS THE REVENGE. The worst of all four movies!

Crazy: A Father's Search Through America's Mental Health Madness by Pete Earley

About the lack of treatment facilities for mentally ill people in the U.S. As a result insane people often end up in jail. Prisons are the de facto 'holding tanks' for the mentally ill....where they often languish for years without meaningful treatment.

Havent feelt good so i havent been on to post the books i have read here the books i have read so far

Daddy's Girl by Lisa Scottoline A Reread for me since i didnt remember how it went i still like it

The Perfect Stranger by Megan Miranda Okay of a book could been better

Mistaken Identity by Lisa Scottoline Another reread I am thinking about rereading this whole series

Local Girl Missing by Claire Douglas Okay of a book but it was little boring


The Moscow Deception by Karen Robards Okay of a book but the first book in the series was better IMO

Shattered Mirror by Iris Johansen Don't know about you guys but i think her Eve Series is getting boring now

Star Witness by D.W. Buffa I found this book very boring

Now I am reading
The President Is Missing by Bill Clinton & James Patterson
Shadow Fires by Dean Koontz

Shannon, I like Lisa Scottoline's books too. Really good characters. 😊

I read The President Is Missing also, because I was curious about a book written by Clinton and Patterson. I liked it pretty much. 😊

How the Finch Stole Christmas! by Donna Andrews

Fun cozy mystery.

Lessons From Lucy: The Simple Joys of an Old, Happy Dog by Dave Barry

Paul wrote: "David wrote: "I'm reading Peter Benchley's JAWS because I should have read it over the summer because it's a summer tradition."

After reading it go for a midnight swim in the Atlantic Ocean, off o..."
You know it is based on reality, as after sharks were spotted, the developers kept it a secret to make millions on the housing project in the area.

Raspberry Danish Murder by Joanne Fluke

Summer at the Garden Café by Felicity Hayes-McCoy

Compelling characters studies set on the (fictional) Finfarran Peninsula of Ireland.

Just got done reading these
Shadow Fires by Leigh Nichols AKA Dean Koontz Its a reread and I still loved his older one like this more then his newer books

The President Is Missing by Bill Clinton & James Patterson Not one of James Patterson best book dont knw how much Bill wrote and how much James Wrote but the book wasnt good IMO. I wish James just stick with his own work

Don't Let Go by Harlan Coben I couldnt put this one down Harlan as hit it out with this book!

Charade by Sandra Brown I had this book for about 3 years and I finally got it read I really loved this one I wish her newer books was like her older ones like this.

Well I am going go to the library either today or tomorrow to check some out

Christmas Bliss by Mary Kay Andrews

Being a Dog: Following the Dog Into a World of Smell by Alexandra Horowitz

Very interesting book about the sense of smell (and not only in dogs). 🐶🙂👩

A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership by James Comey

So far, very good. Very interesting guy.

Deck the Hounds by David Rosenfelt

Fun mystery

Agatha Raisin and the Dead Ringer by M.C. Beaton

You Were Always Mine by Nicole Baart

She Got Up Off the Couch: And Other Heroic Acts from Mooreland, Indiana by Haven Kimmel

Just got done reading these

The Outsider by Stephen King Not as good as I though it would be but that's a lot with king's newer books some of his newer ones are very good and some are just awful

The Reckless by David Putnam I won this on a giveaway I found this book on the boring side and very slow to read It didnt wow me I read better books.
3/5 stars

The Jury MasterRobert Dugoni A New Author but i couldnt get into this one at all it was on the boring side

Pieces of Her by Karin Slaughter Another Masterpiece from Karin Slaugther i so couldnt put this one down If you like her books you will love this one

K is for Killer by Sue Grafton I am trying to get this whole series finish. I really love her books Sad that she pastaway last year though :(

My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing Be prepared to be shocked!!
This book was so good It Made you hook form the beginging to the end You will not be able to look at people again afrer reading this. I am so glad i won this and I just found a new author for me to follow!

Shannon wrote: "Just got done reading these

K is for Killer by Sue Grafton I am trying to get this whole series finish. I really love her books Sad that she pastaway last year though :(
y ..."

I miss Sue Grafton also. This is a good series.

Over and Above by John E. Gurdon

As we approach the centenary of the Armistice that brought an end to World War I, I wanted to read a book from someone who had been a combatant in that conflict. John E. Gurdon served as a pilot in a fighter/reconnaissance squadron (Royal Air Force) on the Western Front from April to August 1918. He emerged from the war with 28 aerial victories to his credit.

Over and Above is largely based on Gurdon's war experiences.

Barracoon: The Story of the Last "Black Cargo" by Zora Neale Hurston

My Life in a Cat House: True Tales of Love, Laughter, and Living with Five Felines by Gwen Cooper

Seven for a Secret by Lyndsay Faye

Becoming by Michelle Obama

'All Out War' by Tim Shipman - trying to educate myself on the history of Brexit! It makes for fascinating reading...

E.J. wrote: "'All Out War' by Tim Shipman - trying to educate myself on the history of Brexit! It makes for fascinating reading..."

I imagine there will be a LOT of books written about Brexit. 😊

Just finished a great biography of Alfred Lord Tennyson. And my 61th Trollope novel Ayala’s Angel. Both super

A Life of James BoswellCharles Dickens' Martin Chuzzlewit Illustrated edition

These are the two current books I am reading

Charles Dickens' Martin Chuzzlewit Illustrated edition

The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

The Heavens May Fall by Allen Eskens

Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty

Homeward Hound by Rita Mae Brown

Justice in Plain Sight: How a Small-Town Newspaper and Its Unlikely Lawyer Opened America’s Courtrooms by Dan Bernstein

Josephine Baker's Last Dance by Sherry Jones



I've long had a deep-set fascination with Josephine Baker (1906-1975). A most remarkable woman.

I am now reading a wonderful biography on James Boswell

Dead Wrong by J.A. Jance