Lake Wobegon Days

Lake Wobegon Days by Garrison Keillor

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a charming book this was. The tale of a fictional small town in Minnesota, that started life as a radio show monologue (and continues) and has been expanded into this book, the entire history of the town of Lake Wobegon. The detail and characterisations are incredible, leading many to ask, is this really fiction? It was a pleasure to read, covering the founding of the town through to near present day, and the trials and tribulations of nearly every inhabitant within. Recommended to everyone, a warm and amusing read.

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Felonious Jazz: a novel

Felonious Jazz: a novel by Bryan Gilmer

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Well, what to say here. A new author but experienced writer, who I happened upon in the aisles of a Raleigh bookstore. This was cool, the chance to get an author to sell their book to me. Bryan managed it, his enthusiasm was infectious and I happily parted with my hard earned pounds dollars.

So, how did it go? An uneasy start for me, not the initial unexpected violence, but the feeling that I was jumping in to the middle of a story and I ought to know more about these characters. It soon settled down though into a steady and thoroughly puzzling mystery. Well, puzzling for the good guys, we are given every thought and action of the bad guy too.

I hadn't realised it but the characters were developing very strongly and by the second half I was enthralled and it became quite the page turner. The ending didn't disappoint and was followed by epilogue type chapters, nice. Ah, and that last chapter...

Very good, more of these characters please Bryan. Recommended to all.

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Nikon D5000: From Snapshots to Great Shots

Nikon D5000: From Snapshots to Great Shots by Jeff Revell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An excellent book. It is obviously very specialised, focusing on a sole camera, the Nikon D5000. The author combines photography instruction at what seems to suit all levels of experience with camera reference down to individual button level. You are talked through every method of using the camera with sensible advise on when to use and not. If you know a D5000 owner, buy it for them then borrow it back for the photography instruction. It is a book I will return to over and again, thank you Jeff.

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Where Wizards Stay Up Late: The Origins Of The Internet

Where Wizards Stay Up Late: The Origins Of The Internet by Katie Hafner

My rating: 4 of 5 stars This was an excellent read, rightly described as a definitive work on the birth and early years of the Internet. It was highly technical throughout, which was a treat when compared to more lightweight histories I have read, but might prove to be too onerous for those new to the subject. Recommended for the technically minded/curious. View all my reviews >>

Run at Destruction - A True Fatal Love Triangle

Run at Destruction: A True Fatal Love Triangle by Lynda Drews


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Well, what a read that was, very powerful and emotive. This isn't a genre I have dabbled in before - True Crime - or a subject I have much interest in - running. But that is what reading is for me, new experiences, people, emotions.
I found this to be a book of two parts or styles. The first being the author's very personal recollections of life at the time and her interactions with the main characters, and the second the incredibly detailed trial descriptions. The level of detail tells of what must have been an awesome research project, you are given insight upon insight into every aspect of the trial and its participants. I truly felt involved at every stage.
We are not only led through introductions, actions, and the trial itself, but an excellent post story review - revisiting participants for opinions with hindsight - very clever.
Oh, the author totally threw me with the sentencing details tease, very clever and well written too.
Did I agree with the verdict? Reluctantly, yes, even with the knowledge that wasn't available to the jury. I have sat on a jury in the UK for a trial of a similar duration and complexity and did not envy this jury their task.
Lynda, you have done Pam proud, thank you for sharing her with us.

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My Political Views

My Political Views
I am a center-right moderate social libertarian
Right: 2.99, Libertarian: 2.8

Political Spectrum Quiz

Frantic

Frantic by Katherine Howell

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
I read this following author Tom Reynolds recommendation on his blog. This is ex-paramedic Katherine's first novel and an excellent debut it is too. It seemed light on character depth at first but this was more than made up for by the pace of the storytelling. We are led through the mystery at breakneck speed from the viewpoint of many major characters, clever. There is no guessing the ending, it is revealed in a final headlong rush, one that will have you staying up too late just to see what happens. It is quite the page turner, I will look out for more from this author.


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Making Money

Making Money by Terry Pratchett

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
It feels like a very long time since I have returned to the Discworld but as always it was a welcome return. This is a minor character novel that didn't disappoint. Clever writing, good characterisation and humour abounding. There is much to learn about the theory of money and would you believe it, greedy bankers. It was also nice to see Lord Vetinari having a prominent role, somebody we don't see enough of. Recommended.


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American Caesar: Douglas MacArthur 1880 - 1964

American Caesar: Douglas MacArthur 1880 - 1964 by William Raymond Manchester

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Well, this has been three months in the reading, but what a read. I had read that this would read like a novel and that was certainly true, quite the page turner. Douglas MacArthur's reputation had fleeted in and out of my awareness for many years so the opportunity to read this was one I couldn't pass by. Most of my previous knowledge gave me the impression that what was written had to be somewhat embellished, could one man have done all that? Well, this book said not, he had actually done so much more. The amazing level of research had me following MacArthur's life on an almost daily basis and what a trip through history it was. From his family's civil war exploits, through his actions in the First World War, the Second World War, Post war Japan, and the Korean War. I feel quite the authority now in areas I had never considered before. I thoroughly recommend this to all, I remain spellbound.


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Glasshouse

Glasshouse by Charles Stross

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was my first Charles Stross and I liked it. It was a struggle to get started, if I were a try the first fifty pages person I would have given up. The technology and way of life at the start were introduced with a very steep learning curve, I had no idea that this would level out but am glad I lasted long enough to find out. The bulk of the story lies in a world more recognisable by us but a mystery to the characters, cool. It turned nicely into an excellent murder mystery thriller that was quite the page turner, and had an ending that was both a surprise and a pleasure. I will read more from Charles.


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Falling Man: A Novel

Falling Man: A Novel by Don DeLillo

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
An interesting read, a meander through a couple of lives of the closely affected by 9/11. It's hard to praise or decry the book, I think having missed the symbolism mentioned by other reviewers didn't help. It held my attention throughout though, and I'll look out for more by this author.


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Apple of my Eye

Apple of My Eye by Helene Hanff

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was an interesting read. It was great to back in dear Helene's company, and her relaxed style of writing still doesn't disappoint. This fast trip around New York of the seventies was a struggle at times though, the detailed location/directions descriptions meant nothing to me having never visited New York. But this was more than made up for by the obvious love for the city she lived in. She makes a very good point too that nobody takes the time to explore their local area properly, where you live shouldn't be just for tourists. There must be some great hidden gems revealed here in the city, and this book will accompany me if I ever visit The Big Apple.

A question, did the book of photographs she was researching for ever get published?


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