2009 Book Reviews #4

I'm way behind on my reviews so these will be short and sweet - or not so sweet depending on the book.

Born Standing Up: A Comics Life by Steve Martin

A interesting read. I was in college when I first heard of Steve Martin. In fact, Arkansas Tech was on his college tour - yes the balloon animals, dart through the head, etc. Saw it all. Not only is this story interesting because of it being Steve Martin's story, it is also interesting to read about the people that have been in and out of his life.

Tears of the Desert: A Memoir of Survival in Darfur by Halima Bashir

Powerful story written from the heart. It's sad to realize what is going on in different parts of the world.

What to Keep by Rachel Cline

A well written story. This covers parts of 3 different decades in Denny's life beginning with the distant, somewhat neglectful childhood thourgh adulthood as a successful playwriter.

So Brave, Young and Handsome by Leif Enger

A cowboy adventure story. The narrator is a postman, turned novelist. This is the story of an adventure he took through the wild west and the people and challenges he faced. It is a story full of faith, grace and surprises.

Black Dogs by Ian McEwan

Not my favorite McEwan book. I think it is too deep for me. I enjoyed parts of it, but the overall concept of the black dogs troubled me. I never really understood that part of it - except for the fear they instilled. I'm sure there's a message there.

Comments

July 2024 Reads

I read 8 books this month I enjoyed them all with 4 of them rating 4 stars, and 4 of them rating 3 stars. Here are my thoughts on each one. The Husbands - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Holly Gramazio This was a fun book to read. It stretched my normal “based in realty” self and it was an enjoyable ride. There were a few plot holes and I expected a little more depth as far as what Lauren learned from the experience. But overall it kept my attention and entertained. Sometimes that’s enough from a book. The Drowning Woman - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Robyn Harding This was our book club pick for the month and it was a good choice. I kept guessing where it was headed and was half right and half wrong. It wasn’t always believable and the ending was a little too easy. But getting there was a fun ride. The plot does have some loose similarities to Housemaid - different settings but still a lot alike. So y...

Rest of 2008 Books

I read too many books since my last review, so here's what I've read - American Bee:The National Spelling Bee and the Culture of Word Nerds by James Maguire - Don't waste your time There's No Toilet Paper on the Road Less Traveled by Doug Lansky - An entertaining compilation of travel stories Portrait of a Killer Jack the Ripper Case Closed by Patricia Cornwell In Search of Eden by Linda Nichols Enduring Love by Ian McEwan - Check this one out Pistol: The Life of Pete Maravich by Mark Kriegel - Another one worth the read. Especially if you like basketball, but even if you don't it's a good life story. While I was Gone by Sue Miller Who Stole the Funny? A Novel of Hollywood by Robby Benson - You should put this high on your to be read list. The Cross Examination of Oliver Finney by Randy Singer - Another good one. Well written and a good story. Turn Away Thy Son: Little Rock Crisis that Shock the Nation" by Elizabeth Jacoway - If you like history t...

2016 Book Reviews - August

After a 2 year hiatus, I think I will try doing short reviews of books again. I find even if nobody else reads it, it helps me to go back and see my impression of a book to then decide what to read in the future. August 2016 was not one of my better months in reading both in number of books and enjoyment. I would say for the most part, the books I read were ok, but none stood out. So here goes - Freeman by Leonard Pitts This is a good story that will make you think. It weaves the tale of people from different areas of life and the country after the abolishment of slavery. We are introduced to those who have lived the life in slavery and those who have not, but sympathize with those who have. We see idealist, realist and those who have no hope. The stories are compelling. The reason I did not rate this book higher is that the entire time I was reading it, I read it as a TV script. This is not Mr. Pitt's fault, it was just in my head...

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