Sunday, September 29, 2013

BOOK REVIEWS. Sort Of.


Ash Wednesday (audiobook) - Ethan Hawke

I wanted to like this novel. Really, I did.

I have failed to complete only a tiny number of books in my life. (In fact, I can actually only think of one, and that's a whole other story.) This one, however, is now destined to keep the first one company.

Mr. Hawke has a broad vocabulary and he uses it prodigiously, even when it is very much out of place in the mouths of his characters - tedious, irritating, whining, unlikeable characters.

But who knows, you might like it. 


My Dear Watson (audiobook) - Margaret Park Bridges  

An enjoyable, well done, reimagining of the Sherlock Holmes legend.

I read any new permutation of the Sherlock Holmes legend I come across.

This was definitely an above par attempt.




4th of July (audiobook) - James Patterson & Maxine Paetro 

Alright. Fine.

Strong, likeable women who support and care about one another are a rare commodity, and one to be encouraged.

The Fifth Horseman (audiobook) - James Patterson & Maxine Paetro 

Do  you ever read a book and find yourself wanting to give the characters advice?

Do they ever listen?

Sherlock Holmes: A Double Barreled Detective Story - Mark Twain  

Even Mark Twain took on the great detective.

As always, our Mr. Clemens brings his own perspective to bear . . .







The Sixth Target (audiobook) - James Patterson & Maxine Paetro  

There seem to be a lot of threads left hanging in this one.

Setting up plots for future novels, no doubt.

Grrr.

7th Heaven (audiobook) - James Patterson & Maxine Paetro 

                                         "Rest in peas."

The Poetry Home Repair Manual - Ted Kooser  

"I'm coming more and more to the conclusion that it's a matter not of old forms and not of new forms, but that a man writes, not thinking at all of what form to choose, writes because it comes pouring out from his soul."

Practical, down to earth advice with good examples and a sense of humor.




The Baker Street Letters - Michael Robertson  

Sadly, the only part of Sherlock Holmes that enters into this novel is his address . . .

221B Baker Street.
The Eighth Confession (audiobook) - James Patterson & Maxine Paetro  

If you read or watch any series long enough you know there's a point at which you question the wisdom of even being in the vicinity of the protagonists.

. . .  Let alone in their circle of friends.

. . .  And then of course, you keep going.

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