Category Archives: 2023 Fiction

Ahhhhhh…..  another juicy legal thriller – it’s not out of my system  yet I guess. I read  Eskens’ prior crime novel,  The Life We Bury (2014)  back in January of 2016 and enjoyed it pretty well although it seemed a … Continue reading →

Well,  how could I not read a book where the first chapter is entitled,  “Lutefisk”?   With both Audible and Kindle versions on my devices,  I started reading/listening.   Then I got really bored for some reason,  but I kept going because … Continue reading →

I wasn’t sure what kind of a book this is supposed to be but it’s categorized as “mystery/suspense”  at Audible so I guess I’ll go with that –  there are several mysteries including a murder or two.   And it … Continue reading →

Alright already -enough legal shemgal unless something really great comes along –  this one wasn’t it although it wasn’t bad.  The narrator was over-the-top and that had a really negative effect. ****** A Criminal Defense  by William L. Myers 2017 … Continue reading →

This seemed like it was pretty expensive for a 2-hour listen, but I’ve read a couple of Sjön’s prior works and they are exquisite (“From the Mouth of the Whale”  and “The Blue Fox”)     So okay – I … Continue reading →

I’m still on a crime roll.  I almost ended it last night with the purchase of some nonfiction (history of Christianity),  but had been tempted by this debut novel by Fiona Barton for some time.   (sigh)   It’s getting … Continue reading →

I’m taking a break from reading the hard stuff and going with whatever comes my way for fun.  Crime novels are good.  Legal thrillers are better.  This is a new-to-me author and I’m generally pleased if not wow’ed. –  mostly procedural … Continue reading →

Moscow circa March,  1913 -so although the characters can’t know it,  World War I and then the Revolution is only a year away.  What they do know is there is unrest in the city.  There is the student unrest,  the labor … Continue reading →

Having finished several wonderful but more challenging books in the last couple weeks,  The Hidden Life of Trees,  Lincoln in the Bardo,  Citizen,   I thought it was time to chill and read something just for fun.   I lucked out. … Continue reading →

This is an amazing book –  I’ve loved trees since I was in grade school and did “reports” on them,  collected leaves and made sketches.  I’ve always wanted to live in a tree house – even today – they’re so big and … Continue reading →

Oh my goodness – why did I not find Robinson’s books before?  Oh well – time to catch up because I really enjoyed this one.  It’s way, way more than genre science fiction. I can’t even begin to describe what … Continue reading →

A friend disliked this book so much but I’d been watching it and been intrigued.  So, because  he and I disagree on books from time to time,  and because of the generally positive critical reception the novel has garnered,  I went ahead. … Continue reading →

I was really tired of unhappy books about genocide and refugees.  My mom was laughing and laughing about a book she was reading and was recommending to me.  Now,  I rarely if ever read anything recommended by my mother because her tastes … Continue reading →

This book is so short – and only 4 1/2 hours on Audible –  was it worth a whole credit?  –  Okay ,  I loved Hamid’s The Reluctant Terrorist (2007) so I went ahead.   Yes.  It’s worth it. ******* Exit West by … Continue reading →

I’d been looking at this book for some time.  As those who have known or followed me for any length of time I have a couple of favorite nonfiction subjects –  the French Revolution, the history of Christianity and Native … Continue reading →

Well I was just wondering what to read next when there in the mail comes the newest book by Hank Phillippi Ryan –   🙂 But since my eyes are not what they used to be I decided to download … Continue reading →

Wow –  I am forgetting to finish and put up my blogs! –  Finished this one a few days ago.  I picked it up because a friend in a reading group recommended it.  No group involved with this one. ******* … Continue reading →