Author Archives: beckylindroos

A Dictionary of Mutual Understanding by Jackie Copleton

This was a selection of the BookiesII reading group –  a question was asked about which book do you really wish you could read again for the first time and the name of the book under consideration came up.  With those … Continue reading

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Before the Fall by Noah Hawley

Lots of hype for this one – the author has lots of friends in high places.  But that doesn’t mean it’s not good.  It is quite good or at least I should say I enjoyed it.  That said, it may … Continue reading

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Bob Dylan – Nobel Laureate? –

And Bobby Dylan won the Nobel Prize on Tuesday “…for,”  according to the Swedish Academy, “having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition.” https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/literature/laureates/2016/  – it was in the category of poetry, songwriting. Did he do that? … Continue reading

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Precious and Grace by Alexander McCall Smith

Ahhh…. the 19th book in the Ladies #1 Detective Agency series was released on Tuesday so I promptly finished Dawn Patrol  (Don Winslow) and downloaded the new one on early the 12th  and began listening to Lisette Lecat, the regular narrator,  reading … Continue reading

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Dawn Patrol by Don Winslow

I’ve read (listened to) a few of Don Winslow’s books over the years,  staring with “A Cool Breeze on the Underground” (1991),  and have generally been entertained – they’re kind of fun except for The Cartel which is just flat amazing –  a literary … Continue reading

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SPQR by Mary Beard

Highly recommended if you’re interested in the history of Rome (750 BC to 212AD) as an an old history buff or if you never did get around to this era.  It’s a good, good book. It took some time to finish … Continue reading

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The Trespasser by Tana French

Detectives Antoinette Conway and Steve Moran  from French’s prior novel,  The Secret Place are the protagonists in this novel of the  “Dublin Murder Squad” series except that Antoinette is featured this time.  Moran was one of the 1st person protagonists in that book but this time … Continue reading

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The Fixer by Bernard Malamud

I’m not sure what to think –  it’s a powerful book,  based on a historical event but not something which would be written this way today. Set in the final years of the Romanov Dynasty, 1905 – 1913,  Malamud has … Continue reading

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Saving Jason by Michael Sears

I guess I’m following this series but it’s taken a turn for the mediocre.  I loved the financial shenanigans the protagonist,  Jason Stafford,  sorted out and I truly enjoyed the character of Jason’s young autistic son and Jason’s troubles with … Continue reading

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The Fixer by Bernard Malamud

I’m not sure what to think –  it’s a powerful book,  based on a historical event but not something which would be written this way today – I don’t think – it’s pretty heavy handed although maybe considering the subject … Continue reading

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Knit Your Own Murder by Monica Ferris

I’ll admit I’m a big fan of Monica Ferris’ Needlecraft series.   Oh I know it’s pure comfort reading,  cozy / traditional mystery series with an amateur detective and her friends sleuthing around a small town which is full of … Continue reading

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Hard Times by Charles Dickens

Finished a few days ago and am finally writing it down –   I’m not a huge Dickens fan but I’ve enjoyed many of his books over the years  – they’re kind of fun when I’m in the mood and actually quite interesting as … Continue reading

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The Driver’s Seat by Muriel Spark x2

Um…. I read this all the way through 2 times now.  I upped the rating half a point the second time for literary value but …  they’re not today’s values.   Back in 1970 post-modern lit was all the rage like … Continue reading

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Wilde Lake Laura Lippman

I’ve only read one prior book by Laura Lippman and I didn’t much care for it –   see Baltimore Blues – rating C-.    But the 4-Mystry-Addicts group decided to read this one and it did have good reviews.  Besides, it’s a … Continue reading

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The Driver’s Seat by Muriel Spark

I’ve read several of Muriel Sparks’ novels but never anything like this one.  It’s called a “psychological thriller”  but imo,  it’s really just plain weird.   That said,  I understand that it takes more than one reading to get to … Continue reading

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Barkskins by Annie Proulx

If you like big fat books of historical fiction,  generational sagas if you will,  this is this  year’s  book for you.  It’s the kind of book I can just escape into for hours – the story keeps going – and going – … Continue reading

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The Dark Forest by Cixin Liu

Book 2 of the sci-fi trilogy “Remembrance of Earth’s Past,”   The Dark Forest tells the story of how Earth prepares for invasion by an alien force due in about four centuries.  Because of  their advanced technology which includes sophons (miniature … Continue reading

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