Book Review: To Kill A Mockingbird

So, this isn't really going to be a review. If you to see an actual review, you can find one here.

Suffice it to say, To Kill A Mockingbird was recently named the one book everyone should read before they die, ranking ahead of The Bible.

I don't know if I'd put it ahead of The Bible, but I'd agree everyone should read it at least once.

This was my fourth time reading it and I thought, instead of a review, I'd simply share a few of my favorite quotes...

Inside the house lived a malevolent phantom. People said he went out at night when the moon was down, and peeped in windows. When people's azaleas froze in a cold snap, it was because he had breathed on them. Any stealthy small crimes committed in Maycomb were his work. (p. 9)

Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing. (p. 20)

Dill was in hearty agreement with his plan of action. Dill was becoming something of a trail anyway, following Jem about. He had asked me earlier in the summer to marry him, then he promptly forgot about it. He stake me out, marked as his property, said I was the only girl he would ever love, then he neglected me. (p. 46)

When he gave us our air rifles, Atticus wouldn't teach us to shoot. Uncle Jack instructed us in the rudiments thereof; he said Atticus wasn't interested in guns. Atticus said to Jem one day, "I'd rather you shot at tin cans in the back yard, but I know you'll go after birds. Shoot all the bludjays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird. (p. 103)

"Scout," said Atticus, "when summer comes you'll have to keep your head about far worse things . . . it's not fair for you and Jem, I know that, but sometimes we have to make the best of things, and the way we conduct ourselves when the chips are down - well, all I can say is, when you and Jem are grown, maybe you'll look back on this with some compassion and some feeling that I didn't let you down. This case, Tom Robinson's case, is something that goes to the essence of a man's conscience - Scout, I couldn't go to church and worship God if I didn't try to help that man." (p. 120)

"A lady?" Jem raised his head. His face was scarlet. "After all those things she said about you, a lady?"

"She was. She had her own views about things, a lot different from mine, maybe . . . son, I told you that if yoiu hadn't lost your head I'd have made you go read to her. I wanted you to see something about her - I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before yoiu begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do." (p. 128)

Who was this "her" they wer talking about? My heart sank: me. I felt the starched walls of a pink cotton penitentiary closing in one me, and for the second time in my life, I thought of running away, immediately. (p. 155)

"Mr. Finch, there's just some kind of men you have to shoot before you can say hidy to 'em. Even then, they ain't worth the bullet it takes to shoot 'em. Ewell 'as one of 'em." (p. 309)

Neighbors bring food with death and flowers with sickness and little things in between. Boo was our neighbor. He gave us two soap dolls, a broken watch and chain, a pair of good luck pennies, and our lives. But neighbors give in return. We never put back into the tree what we took out of it; we had given him nothing, and it made me sad. (p. 320)

I willed myself to stay awake, but the rain was so soft and the room was so warm and his voice was so deep and his knee was so snug that I slept. (p. 322)

And finally, the best closing line I've read:

He turned out the light and went into Jem's room. He would be there all night, and he would be there when Jem waked up in the morning.

Book Review: Burn by Nevada Barr

Burn by Nevada Barr
St Martin's Press
378 Pages
Copyright 2010

From the book:

Anna Pigeon, a Ranger with the National Park Service, is on administrative leave from her job as she recovers from the traumas of the past couple of months - while the physical wounds have healed, the emotional ones are still healing. With her new husband busy and back at work, Anna decides to go to stay with an old friend from the Park Service, Geneva, who works as a singer at the New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park.

Anna isn't in town long before she crosses paths with a tenant of Geneva's, a creepy guy named Jordan. She discovers what seems to be an attempt to place a curse on her - a gruesomely killed pigeon marked with runic symbols - and begins slowly to find traces of very dark doings in the hart of post-Katrina New Orleans. Tied up in all of this evil magic are Jordan, a fugitive mother accused of killing her husband and daughters in a fire; and faint whispers of unpleasant goings-on in the heart of the slowly recovering city.

Now it will take all of Anna's skills learned in the untamed outdoors to navigate the urban jungle in which she finds herself to uncover the threads that connect these seemingly disparate people, and to rescue the most vulnerable of creatures from the most savage of animals.

Let me start off by saying this book took me months to read. I'd pick it up, read a few pages, maybe a chapter or two, and then I'd set it down and basically, forget about it.

That, for me, is not normal when reading a Nevada Barr book. Her tales are ones that I normal devour in a couple of days or less.

Since I finished it, I've been trying to figure out why I didn't connect with this one.

The setting? No. I love New Orleans. I've only been there once and would love to go back and I know the aura of the city and was looking forward to its atmosphere playing a big part in the story. Unfortunately, it didn't.

The mention of magic? Hardly. I love stories that involve magic and the paranormal. What little bit of magic there was in this story was disappointing.

The villains? Barr normally crafts her villains so vividly that I find them hard to read. They normally make me cringe and by the end of the book, I am looking forward to them getting their just desserts. The villains in this one remained almost undefined or, maybe, unidentified. Making a large group of faceless people the 'villain' of the piece fell flat.

The nature of the 'savagery'? It is horrible, make no mistake about it, but it's almost become trite. I hate saying that but I don't know how else to put it.

Here's the bottom line, I think.

Barr normally weaves intricate stories that make their location - a national park - a vivid, important part of the story. She makes places come alive, creating a desire to see the actual place - Isle Royal, Ellis Island, Yosemite, the Dry Tortugas, even the inhospitable area around Big Bend - I've never finished a Nevada Barr book with feeling the need to visit the park she featured.

Except for this one. In Burn, the park was mentioned once. The setting could've been anywhere and that left me disappointed.

Recommendation: It's okay but if you want Barr at her best, try Winter Study or A Superior Death, my favorites.

Book Reviews: Two for the price of one

Got a couple of quick reviews to take care of here.

When Blood Calls by J.K. Beck
Bantam Books
388 Pages
Copyright 2010

From the back of the book:

Attorney Sara Constantine is thrilled with her promotion - until she finds out that she must now prosecute vampires and werewolves. The first defendant she'll be trying to put away? Lucius Dragos, the sexy stranger with whom she recently shared an explosive night of ecstasy.

When Lucius kisses a beautiful woman sitting next to him at the bar, he's hoping only to avoid the perceptive gaze of the man he's planning to kill. But what starts as a simple kiss ignites into an all-consuming passion. Charged with murder, Luke knows that Sara is determined to see him locked away - unless he can convince her that he's not a monster. And that might mean making the ultimate sacrifice.

Paranormal romance at it's best. Sara is strong and beautiful, with a tragic past and a hatred for vampires rooted in the death of her father.

Lucius Dragos is the strong, handsome vampire with the tortured past rooted in the death of his daughter.

Together, they're explosive and must team up to fight an unexpected foe, one that will either drive the pair apart or unite them forever.

As a romance story, there are 'those' scenes involved but they're well written and they don't dominate the story. What dominates, instead, is the story of Sara and Lucius pasts, whether they're strong enough to overcome them, and who, exactly is out to get them. And that, I must admit, was a surprise at the end.

While I'm not normally big on romance, I can read it when the story grabs me with something unusual. The idea of a court for paranormal beings, along with a special unit policing those beings was enough of a hook to get me to buy the book. The writing and the characters kept me interested right up to the end.

Full Moon Rising by Keri Arthur
Bantam Dell
372 Pages
Copyright 2006

From the back of the book:

A rare hybrid of vampire and werewolf, Riley Jenson is just trying to find her place in the world. And it's not always easy for a woman like herself, especially when her work - for an organization created to police the supernatural races - brings her face-to-face with some of the sexiest men imaginable. More werewolf than vampire, Riley is vulnerable to the moon heat: the phase when her need to mate becomes all-consuming. But when her twin brother Rhoan is taken hostage, Riley must stay focused - even when an extremely seductive, deliciously naked, and very disoriented vampire shows up on her doorstep looking for Rhoan. Now she'll have to control her urges if she's going to find her brother... because the people who took Rhoan have another target in mind: Riley!

Two paranormal romances in a row. What can I say? I was looking for easy, entertaining reads and I found them.

Riley Jensen is a strong, tough, likable young woman. She's being recruited to become an assassin for the Directorate of Other Races, something she really doesn't want to do. But, to save Rhoan, she will be willing to do just about anything, including becoming involved with Quinn, the naked vampire at her door.

Mixed in is the mystery of what has happened to the guardians, the assassins of the Directorate, that have gone missing, which includes Rhoan and a female vampire named Kelley, Riley's best friend.

Quinn is definitely the typical sexy vampire who is clearly attracted to Riley, but after being burned by a werewolf in the past, wants nothing long term.

Together they have to rescue Rhoan, figure out who attacked Quinn, and who is behind the attacks on the guardians.

Recommendations: I enjoyed both stories but have to admit the emphasis on mating (anyone, anywhere, any time apparently) in Full Moon Rising was a distraction. But the characters were well developed and intriguing and there is a decent story to be found amongst the romance.

Book Review: Something From The Nightside by Simon R. Green

Something From The Nightside by Simon R. Green
Ace Books
230 Pages
Copyright 2003

From the back of the book:

Taylor is the name, John Taylor. My card says I'm a detective, but what I really am is an expert on finding lost things. It's part of the gift I was born with as a child of the Nightside.

I left there a long time ago, with my skin and sanity barely intact. Now I make my living in the sunlit streets of London.

But business has been slow lately, so when Joanna Barrett showed up at my door, reeking of wealth, asking me to find her runaway teenage daughter, I didn't say no.

Then I found out exactly where the girl had gone.

The Nightside. That square mile of Hell in the middle of the city where it's always three A.M. Whre you can walk besides mythgs and drink with monsters. Where nothing is what it seems and everything is possible.

I swore I'd never return. But there's a kid in danger and a woman depending on me. So I have no choice - I'm going home...

John Taylor is a man of mystery, not only because he escaped from the Nightside, but because of his mother. The mother he doesn't know, the mother who gave him his gift... and a future that isn't all that bright.

Green introduces us to the Nightside by peeling back layers one at a time, yet leaving enough mystery to keep you reading. The Nightside is a violent, scary place, but Taylor is definitely up to the challenge.

The writing isn't bad, the pacing is decent, and the ending, I will admit, was a complete surprise. But, this was the first book in the series so there are flaws, which are easily forgiven. They don't really harm the story.

Recommendation: Not a bad start and I can't wait to visit the Nightside again. I've got the feeling it's going to be a wild ride.

October 7th

It was seven years ago today.

It feels, at times, like yesterday.

She was hard-working.

She gave us what we needed; not everything we wanted but what we needed.

Love

Discipline

Education

She taught us right from wrong and the worst thing I could ever have imagined hearing would have been her saying "I'm disappointed in you."

I was in the sixth grade when I decided I wanted to be a police officer. I think it was Adam-12 and The Rookies that did it to me. I don't really remember.

What I do remember is this. When I was in the sixth grade women weren't police officers. It was a job only men did.

She never said a word to discourage me. Not one.

Then, when I was a grown up and a police officer in a small town, I took her to a Detroit Tigers game. As I was watching the officers from the Detroit Police Department between innings, I mentioned something about applying for a job with the DPD.

She shook her head.

"What, wouldn't you like having a daughter who was a captain," I asked.

"I'd rather have a daughter who was safe."

Just like she never discouraged me, she never let me know that she worried. Beyond that one remark.

I miss you, Mom.

Thanks for giving me roots and for giving me wings.

I hope I've done you proud.

Book Reviews: Starvation Lake Mysteries by Bryan Gruley

Starvation Lake
Touchstone
370 Pages
Copyright 2009

In Starvation Lake, Gus Carpenter, has returned home in disgrace. His high profile job with the Detroit Times has blown up over questionable ethics involving confidential sources.

Home is a small town in northern lower Michigan where people are more concerned about Gus's past than his present. You see, Gus was once the hot-shot goalie of the local traveling hockey team, the team that was destined for glory and the state championship. A mistake by Gus ruined the dream and the town has blamed him for every thing that has gone wrong since that time.

He's now the editor of the local newspaper and he's playing hockey with a old-timers team. Things aren't good but they're as good as they're going to get for Gus.

Then, a snowmobile washes ashore, bringing with it a mystery that will rock Starvation Lake even more than Gus's missed goal. The machine once belonged to his former coach who died when he broke through the ice and drowned... on a lake five miles away.

Gus begins an investigation that will reopen the painful past and force Gus to deal with questions about that time, the people involved, and himself.

The Hanging Tree
Touchstone
314 Pages
Copyright 2010

Life, after the happenings in Gruley's first book, for Gus Carpenter hasn't been all that bad. He's still playing hockey, now executive editor of the local newspaper, and best of all, he's reconnected with his childhood sweetheart, Deputy Darlene Esper.

Then, Gracie McBride, Gus's troubled cousin, hangs herself from a tree outside of town. The circumstances are questionable to say the least. Gus begins to investigate while he also tries to deal with a lawsuit stemming from the mess he left behind at the Detroit Times, the return of Darlene's husband, and the questionable intentions of a wealthy man who arrived in Starvation Lake with promises to return the town's former hockey glory with a brand new arena - one that Gus makes the mistake of questioning in his paper. The result of his trying to protect the community from a possible scam? The owners seem to be trying to force him out.

Through it all, however, Gus is determined to do right by Grace, by Darlene, and by his small, quirky hometown.

Recommendations: Gruley does an admirable job capturing the quirks and oddities of truly small towns. His characters are real and they deal with real life problems. The mysteries, while decently told, don't hold many surprises but that doesn't diminish the enjoyment whatsoever.

Can I ask a favor?

The young couple picture above are friends of mine.

Bryan is a former student who impressed me all throughout his college career. He's a truly good guy. He'd do anything to help another person out, friend, friend of a friend, or strange. He worked hard for us and somehow kept his willingness to help and do the job expected of him. That is unbelieveably rare these days and if I could've kept him in school for another 10 years, I would have.

But, the good ones also move on. They graduate, they start their careers; they start their lives.

Kathleen is the young lady Bryan wants to build a life with. I've only met her once but she impressed me. They are, simply put, right together.

If I could give them the moon, I would... but knowing Bryan, he wouldn't take it.

Okay, enough of that.

Here's the thing. Simon G. Jewelry is sponsoring a contest called "The Perfect Proposal and Engagement Ring".

I have no idea what Bryan will do to make it 'the perfect proposal' but knowing him, it will be something terrible romantic.

So, here's the favor.

Could you all go to the site and vote for these two? I'd appreciate it and you'd be helping the dreams of two truly good young people come true.

Who doesn't want to do that?

Here's the link:

Simon G Jewelry contest

Thanks so much.

Well, dang.

It's too fast.

I don't remember seasons changing so abruptly when I was a kid. It may be a faulty memory, or perhaps a nostalgic one but wasn't it summer just yesterday?

Here's what I saw yesterday when I was on my way home from work at 0715...

Frost.

That's not my lawn and I didn't take the photo but it is what I saw.

It was in the 60's last week and on Saturday morning we had visible frost.

Can snow be far behind?

Given how miserable I've been this fall because of the rain and the migraines I've had as a result...

I sure the heck hope not.

Book Review: Spider Bones by Kathy Reichs

Spider Bones by Kathy Reichs
Scribner Books
302 Pages
Copyright 2010

In the 13th Temperence Brennan novel, the intrepid forensic anthropologist finds herself dealing with a drowning victim who apparently died while practicing a bizarre sexual fetish.

That turns out to be the simple part of the puzzle.

The man is quickly identified as John Lowery . . . who died in 1968 in Vietnam.

How does an American soldier, supposedly killed fighting for his country, wind up dying in Canada?

Temperence is determined to find out and her investigation leads from Canada to North Carolina, to Hawaii where she enlists the services of JPAC - the US military's Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command.

Once in Hawaii, however, the mystery deepens when they find the remains of a third man with Lowery's dogtags tangled in them.

Add an ex-lover, two daughters (hers and his), and the possible young victim of a shark attack into the mix and Tempe finds herself with her hands full.

Not a bad book at all. The mystery keeps you guessing and the interaction between Tempe and ex-lover Andrew Ryan keeps you hoping for a reunion. Add in her daughter, who has suffered the loss of a good friend, and Ryan's daughter, a rebellous trouble-maker, and you get a darned good read.

The best part of the story, however, wasn't the story itself. It was the way Reichs highlights the important work that JPAC does in bringing those who died in the service of their country home. Not enough can be said about their efforts.

My one complaint? The fact that Ryan is still an ex. C'mon, Kathy. Put these two back together again already.

Recommendation: This is another solid effort by Reichs in the series that was the basis for the TV show Bones. If you enjoy CIS, NCIS, Bones, or similar shows, you might enjoy the series.

Fast Money Round on Book Reviews

It's a new month and I can't remember which books I actually read last month and which I read the month before.

So, I'm determined to clear the decks for this month and start fresh.

That means some quick reviews of books I enjoyed but didn't truly stand out.

First up:

Joesph Heywood:

Running Dark, Copyright 2005
Strike Dog, Copyright 2007
Death Roe, Copyright 2009

All titles were published by Lyons Press.

All three books are focused on Grady Service, DNR Michigan DNR officer assigned to the wilds of the Upper Peninsula. I like the character and the setting. How could I not? I live in the UP...

Running Dark is a back-track sort of book, taking us back to when Service was relatively new to the DNR, fresh from a stint in the military and State Police. There is considerable unrest on the Garden Peninsula, a small peninsula that juts into Lake Michigan. The people that inhabit it are a wild bunch and illegal fishing is rampant. Service is sent in under the cover of darkness to gather intel on the ruthless band.

Strike Dog opens with the death of two very important people in Service's life - his fiancee and his 18-year-old son, the child he didn't know he had until recently. There is also a serial killer on the loose - one that has been killing 'the best' conservation officers in each state. With murders in Wisconsin and Arkansas, Service finds out that he is the next, and final, target of the killer.

Contaminated Sturgeon roe, ties to the Ukranian mafia, and corruption within the DNR itself form the basis of the story in Death Roe. Service, still dealing with the death of Maridly Nantz and his son, Walter, Service finds himself tracking down the source of poisonous roe that has already resulted in one woman dying from cancer and others by not so mysterious means.

So...

Decent books, but nothing spectacular. There didn't seem to be much of a point to any of them. There wasn't any mystery in Running Dark or Death Roe at all. You go into it already knowing who did it. Strike Dog had a bit more mystery to it, but it was weak and easily figured out.

I've got Heywood's newest in the series, Shadow of the Wolf Tree, waiting for me. Hopefully it will be better than these were.

Recommendation: While not all that mysterious or exciting, I still enjoyed the reading due to Heywood's ability to tell a story and make the UP part of that story. If you enjoy man-against-nature and man-against-man stories, give Heywood a try but go with the earlier books first. They're the best.

Sad news this week...

First, we lose Tony Curtis, who, as an amazing actor, was part of an entire generation of actors that I think won't be surpassed any time soon. It's not that I don't like today's actors; I do but I don't think they could hold a candle to the likes of Curtis, John Wayne, Jack Lemmon, Spencer Tracy, or Errol Flynn, just to name a few.

Then, last night I saw that Stephen J. Cannell has passed away.

I don't know about you but Cannell was behind a lot of the television shows I loved once upon a time - Adam-12 (which was one of the shows that made me want to be a cop), the A-Team, Barretta, Baa Baa Black Sheep, Hunter, Teenspeed and Brown Shoe...

Such great shows.

And, while I was surfing on line, I came across some more news that was surprising - Jennifer Rardin, author of the Jaz Parks series, passed away on September 20th.

I haven't read any of her books but they've always been on my list.

It's sad to see them go.