The Jefferson Key

I finished the Jefferson Key, again finding Cotton Malone and crew fun, entertaining and simply the best characters around. The Jefferson Key was fun and interesting but I felt it to be formulaic. It seemed almost rushed both to follow up The Emperor's Tomb and to get Cotton on American soil. It could be that I love the European settings and sorely miss Thorvaldsen. That being said this was still a good read and worth the money. Steve Berry is simply among the best story tellers today.

The Blue Demon

David Hewson's "The Blue Demon" built speed and eventually carried me through another wonderful book. Now I am wondering what is going on with Nic Costa and the gang and what are we about to learn about Nic's father Marco? I am ready to read more David Hewson!

Long layoff

It seems like forever since I updated the blog but I've been a bit busy. My son was born on April 11th, and the weeks leading up to his early arrival seemed like a sprint. He is a month old now and healthy as can be. Now I find I look up Mayo Clinic and Pediatrician sites to learn. What an interesting journey.

The Emperor’s Tomb

Steve Berry did it again. His story is great, characters flawed and yet perfect. His descriptions put you where the action is. Quite simply he is the best.

Paul Christopher’s Templar Conspiracy held true to his Templar Legacy. Very contrived, with conversation between the main characters desperate to sound main stream and yet totally missing the mark, this book bordered on the surreal in its complete ignorance of military and security operations and completely lumbered through far too many story lines to really crystallize into one solid story.

The Templar Cross Paul Christopher

Well I finished this story and really am not sure where I stand on it. I am definitely in the 2 - 3 banana range but the history was enough to get me through the book. Ultimately I found the story a little too cliche'd and contrived. The descriptions used bordered on melodrama. And the book had barely anything to do with Templars!

In the end I am going 2 1/2 bananas, although I loved the globe trotting and history, the story lacked in an a tangible hook the reader sort of way. Thoughts?

Remarkable Creatures

I finished the story and then learned although fiction the story is based on the lives of two influential women in the history of Paleontology, Mary Anning and Elizabeth Philpot. This raised my interest about te story and I as usual did my research on Lyme Regis and the two ladies.

The story definitely had a female struggle theme as women blazed a trail in the worlds of geology and paleontology. Speaking of the two main characters and the over all plight of women throughout periods of subjugation in the past.

In the end despite the book not being a personally engrossing piece it was still a very well written story and educational as well. I give it 3 1/2 bananas!

MS IT Management

I started my degree program and recreational reading has slowed down. I am working my way through Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier. And David Hewson's The Blue Demon. I also started a book by Paul Christopher, he writes historical fiction about the Templar's.

I often start and bounce from book to book. Sometimes juggling 3 or 4 books. I'm wondering how many people do this type of juggling as well.

It doesnt seem like I slowed down does it? But a few pages here and there is slowing down for me.

North Little Rock, AR

So here I am in Arkansas. If you've ever been here then you know my state of mind. I'm reading The Blue Demon by David Hewson. Super Bowl Sunday and here I am. The book so far is slow to get into however I believe I'm suffering from Stieg Larsson hangover. The Blue Demon seems typically well written and I am sure I will love this chase through Rome.

The Burning Land

Before I started the Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest I read The Burning Land by Bernard Cornwell. True historical fiction about Britian at the time of Alfred the Great. The Danes and Saxons are constantly at war. Yet constantly seeking partnerships to leverage and grow their power.

This is the 5th in a series, but I didnt realize that at the time I grabbed it.  A quick read and interesting for those who truly like history.

Snow storm

I hate snow. I think that's the most succinct statement I've ever made in my life. I spent the day shoveling, using a snow blower, and clearing two roof's. I was cold, wet, and sore. And I broke my friends snow blower, ugh. I ran to Home Depot and got a replacement pin which fixed the issue but man did I feel bad.

How much more snow will I see this year? One more flake is two too many.

I hate snow.

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest

Wow.  I for one loved the final installment of Stieg Larsson's trilogy. I was enthralled from start to finish with every character, detail, place and action.  In fact the entire trilogy was by far the best set of books I've ever read.  Each book stood alone and yet each depended on the other.  The thorough research, complex story and subplots, and well developed characters all woven together place this series at the top of the class not just for it's genre but for fiction writing as a whole.

It is unfortunate that Mr Larsson passed away so young.  His writing reflected deep beliefs and a certain moral code that despite any differences people may have were all so well communicated they could hardly be seen as anything other than the best writing possible in our world today. He will be sorely missed.

Reading and Writing and Life

I find myself searching for both time and motivation to write and read after long days of work, commuting, and a never ending head cold/sinus infection. I'm sitting at about 10k words for my book if that means anything. Searching for a little inspiration to add meat to the bones of the outline. I'm bouncing between reading The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets Nest by Stieg Larsson and Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier.
Balancing your immediate requirements, i.e. work to pay the bills and finding time to chase your hobbies and personal projects is the art of life. Something at 9 months shy of 40 I'm just figuring out. Or fooling myself into thinking I am anyway.

Work

After 10 straight days off, through the holidays and a snowstorm, I have to return to work tomorrow. I do not want to go back to work. I would rather read some more band sleep in.