Tag Archives: books

King Rat, James Clavell

***** King Rat Asian Saga #1 Author: James Clavell First Edition: Marin Joseph, 1962 Original language: English Summary: King Rat follows the lives of the POWs at Changi Prison, in Singapore, during the last weeks of WWII.  Clavell was himself a POW at Changi, and the story retells his experience.  The story is mostly told […]

Review: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

From my column at the Washington Times Communities WASHINGTON DC, November 16, 2012- After waiting for a month to get my back-ordered Kindle Paperwhite and using it every day for two weeks, I can honestly say that this is Amazon’s best Kindle yet. I read a lot.  From fiction, to magazines, to biographies, I love to […]

November 15

Savages, Don Winslow

*** Savages Author: Don Winslow First Edition: Simon & Schuster, 2010 Original language: English Awards: Barry Award Nominee for Best Novel (2011), Dilys Award Nominee (2011) Summary: Savages follows a few days in the life of Ben, Chon (formerly John), and O (short for Ophelia).  Selling the best stuff on the market, Ben and Chon […]

November 11

The Language of Flowers,Vanessa Diffenbaugh

****3/4 The Language of Flowers: A Novel Author: Vanessa Diffenbaugh First Edition: Ballantine Books, 2011 Original language: English Summary: The Language of Flowers begins with the emancipation of Victoria when she turns 18 years old and no longer has to live in a group or foster home.  Victoria is ill-equipped for life outside the system, […]

The Art of Fielding, Chad Harbach

**** ½ The Art of Fielding  Author: Chad Harbach First Edition: Back Bay Books, 2011 Original language: English  Summary: Harbach’s novel deals with the life of Henry Skrimshander at Westish College.  Henry, in his senior year of high school and with no prospects for college, is spotted by Mike Schwartz, who sees Henry’s potential right […]

Whose Body? Dorothy L. Sayers October 19

Whose Body? Dorothy L. Sayers

*** Whose Body? Author: Dorothy L. Sayers  First Edition: 1923, T. Fisher Unwin Original language: English Summary: A man wearing nothing but a pair of pince-nez is found dead in a bathtub; a rich businessman disappears.  Enter Lord Peter Wimsey, amateur sleuth and thus begins Sayers’ classic mystery.  Through old-fashioned detective work and a little […]

Wolf Hall, Hilary Mantel October 17

Wolf Hall, Hilary Mantel

***½ Wolf Hall  Author: Hilary Mantel First Edition: 2009, Fourth Estate Original language: English Awards: ▪       Winner – 2009 Man Booker Prize ▪       Winner – 2009 National Book Critics Circle Award for fiction. ▪       Winner – 2010 Walter Scott Prize for historical fiction ▪       Winner – 2010 The Morning News Tournament of Books.   Summary: […]

October 15

Still Life: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel

***1/2 Author: Louise Penny First Edition: 2005 Original language: English Awards: Barry Award for Best First Novel (2007), Anthony Award for Best First Novel (2007), Dilys Award (2007), Arthur Ellis Award for Best First Novel (2006), The Crime Writers’ Association New Blood Dagger (2006) Summary: Elderly resident of Three Pines, Jane Neal, is found dead, […]

October 15

Amazon Kindle Readers: You may have some money coming to you!

This Saturday many Amazon Kindle readers woke up to a surprising email in their inboxes.  The email opened with “We have good news…” Good news indeed, if you’re a Kindle addict, like me. I have become completely dependent on my Kindle.  I subscribe to several periodicals, as well as buy at least two ebooks per […]

October 12

Gone Girl, Gillian Flynn

**** Gone Girl: A Novel Author: Gillian Flynn First Edition: Crown, 2012  Original language:  English Summary: The story begins with the disappearance of Amy Dunne on her fifth wedding anniversary.  The story is told from Amy’s journal and Nick’s perspective.  Amy is the subject of the Amazing Amy book series, written by her parents.  Amazing […]