It's a new year and I'm still in the midst of Dennis Lehane's The Given Day, the book I took with me to read on the plane to and from Australia (my wife and I took a trip there over the Christmas holidays, to visit my sister in Melbourne). I didn't do quite as much reading as I thought I might--too many other activities, including trips to Phillip Island, the Great Ocean Road and the Twelve Apostles, and several trips into downtown Melbourne on the train. I also got in a couple of very nice… Continue

so sorry if anyone's been coming to my page and wondering why it's not updated. I've been spending a lot of my time over at Goodreads.com lately. I haven't been able to read as much as in the past (last year, I'd read 30 books by this time; this year, a disappointing 14!), so that may be part of it. Plus, busy at work. The most recent book I read (and loved) was Nevada Barr's Winter Study, which marks a return to Isle Royale for her park ranger heroine, Anna Pigeon (an earlier book, A Superior… Continue

I didn't have quite as productive a month of reading in July as in June (10 books!), but here is what I read and what I thought of it:



Michael Connelly. The Overlook.



I enjoyed the book, though it was certainly lesser Connelly, befitting its original status as a serial novella in the New York Times (or wherever). It's always nice to spend some time in the company of Harry Bosch and friends, though this really was a rather slight book. Looking forward to a Bosch novel… Continue

It's been awhile since my last post (if anyone cares) and I've gotten in a number of books. First up, Lee Child's latest Jack Reacher novel, Bad Luck and Trouble. I can remember the first Reacher I read, not that long ago, Persuader. I actively hated that book, but I stuck with Child and I've loved all the books since (still have to go back some time and read the first 4-5 in the series) and this one is just as good. Followed this up with the latest Dortmunder novel, Donald E.… Continue

I read and enjoyed thoroughly Craig Johnson's third Walt Longmire mystery, Kindness Goes Unpunished. Normally, I don't like it when a series I read largely for the settings moves, as this one does, replacing Wyoming with Philadelphia for most of the action. But I think it works here, as Johnson gives us an outsider's/visitor's glimpse of a city that is both welcoming and threatening. Still, I can't help but hope the action returns to Wyoming next time out.



Next up was What… Continue