Mystery/Thriller Reading Friends discussion

I don't really have to try to remember my September reads because they're in my book journal. But the song I'm referencing in the title says "Deep in December it's nice to remember" so I thought it was appropriate.
I certainly didn't have time to post my reads at the beginning of October.

They are:

1)Corpus Christiby Terence McNally (play) 81 pages. Source: Library Started: 9/2 Finished: 9/2

Why Read: This was a play mentioned in an article about banned plays in American Libraries. Considering the subject of the play, I can understand why there was a banning controversy about it. It's about a Jesus character in a modern context.

Comments: It follows the events of the Gospels translated into the modern world. The disciples have modern professions. The play is clever and I like its approach to Christian theology. I imagine it's Jesus presiding over a wedding between two male disciples that bothered people most. Rating B+. It isn't brilliant, but it is a good read and would probably make for a powerful performance.

2)Eye of the Raven: A Mystery of Colonial Americaby Elliot Pattison (historical mystery) 399 pages. Source: Independent Bookstore Started: 9/3 Finished: 9/5

Why Read: This is the second in Elliot Pattison's Colonial American mystery series. I really liked Bone Rattler: A Mystery of Colonial America, the first in the series. The Scottish Highlander-American Indian alliance reminded me of the Sara Donati novels based on the Leatherstocking Tales by James Fenimore Cooper. The main difference is that Elliot Pattison's books are mysteries. The detective is Duncan McCallum who has a half-Mohawk companion.

Comments: I don't understand why GR reviewers thought this was better than Bone Rattler. It was more of a conventional mystery, I suppose. There are stereotypical villains too. There wasn't enough Native American spiritual content for my taste. But there was heroism from various characters. The mystery wasn't so mysterious. Whodunit was revealed well before the book ended. Duncan just couldn't prove it. It really isn't as intense as Bone Rattler, and the story line isn't as compelling. I'm going to give this a B- I still like Duncan and some of the characters. It's just not a great book.

3)This Book Is Overdue!: How Librarians and Cybrarians Can Save Us All by Marilyn Johnson (library science) 266 pages. Source: Library
Started: 9/5 Finished: 9/9

Why Read: I decided I wanted to read this book based on reviews before I found out that some professors at my library school had made it required reading. It's just taken a while for me to get to the top of the hold list. I wish I could have gotten it before school started.

Comments: Well, actually this was a fun read. It's an engaging book containing many entertaining incidents involving librarians or archivists. I can't say that it told me very much that I didn't know already--except that only someone who uses your browser can open a screenshot sent in e-mail. Now that's useful information. Rating B.

4)Sweeping Up Glassby Carolyn Wall (historical fiction) 319 pages. Source: Library Started: 9/10 Finished: 9/14

Why Read: I found this on GR while looking at another Appalachian novel. This one takes place in the mountains of Kentucky in the 1930's. People who had always been dirt poor were even poorer then. Another thing that interested me was the wolves. The MC wants to find out who is killing the wolves on her mountain. The Appalachians and wolves! Wow!

Comments: There's much less focus on wolves than on humans and their conflicts. It's well written and it has great characterization, but it held no surprises for me. I also had some believability problems with the way it turned out. Yet the MC did evolve into a remarkably strong woman who I admired very much for the courage she showed. I wanted to cheer for her at the end. Rating B+

To Be Continued...

Shomeret: A walk down memory lane! I am so happy to be reunited with my Excel book journal on this new PC finally. Now to tackle my music and audio books!
I enjoyed Sweeping Up Glass too!
Shomeret wrote: "I certainly didn't have time to post my reads at the beginning of October. I don't really have to try to remember my September reads because they're in my book journal. "

Ann, if you put the spreadsheet on Google Docs, it will be available regardless of what computer you are at.

Yes, Google Docs is wonderful for file storage. I no longer have to worry about what I'll do if my computer crashes and the files aren't retrievable.

thanks for the Google docs suggestion!