Book Reviews for November

 

by Mary Saums

 

Here are a few mini-reviews of good books I've enjoyed so far this month - 

 

 

 

THE OLD SILENT by Martha Grimes

It has been far too long since I've read a Martha Grimes book. What a treat to re-discover how much I love Richard Jury and all the wonderful characters in this series. Most striking after reading just a few pages was the deep comfort of sinking into a master writer's brain. Beautifully worded sentences. Characters who are appealing. Who move the story. Old-fashioned proper paragraphs. Aa-a-ahhhhh. :)

Jury is off-duty and staying at an inn where he witnesses a murder. Though it's not his case, he is intrigued by the woman who shot her husband and then calmly sat down to wait for the police.

This is a re-read series for me. I like the print/e-books best for reasons given above. However, if you prefer audios, do the abridged versions. Tim Curry narrates and they're fantastic. 

 

 

 

 

WORKING FOR BIGFOOT by Jim Butcher

This one I HAD to get the audio. I am crazy about the Harry Dresden, professional wizard, books. But why settle for print when you can get the same great stories PLUS have them read to you by James Marsters? He's perfect as Harry. And as the other characters too. In this case, as you can see by the title, that's a mighty tall order.  

WORKING FOR BIGFOOT is a set of three long short stories in which Harry is hired by a big tall hairy Sasquatch named Strength Of A River In His Shoulders. He's worried that his son is in trouble. Who you gonna call when you're a bigfoot? Dresden, of course. 

Well done and very entertaining.

 

 

 

 

A NEW HISTORY OF LIFE: The Radical New Discoveries about the Origins and Evolution of Life on Earth by Peter Ward & Joe Kirschvink

Full of wonders, shock and awe on the science of all that is. I liked the audiobook and plan to get the print book also. Essential reading for all humans.

 

 

 

 

ON THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES by Charles Darwin

I'd never read this before and thoroughly enjoyed it. Besides the charm of Darwin's 19th c. English, this audio version was narrated by author/scientist extraordinaire Richard Dawkins. A wonderful look into Darwin's mind. Next I must get the notebooks from his travels.                     

 

So, that's me. What's new in your reading world? 

 

 

Comments

[Elaine Viets]

Once again, a thought-provoking and offbeat collection of books, Mary. There are so few reviews that can be trusted any more. Glad you took the time to talk about these.
I'm holding a Jeffrey Deaver fest -- finished "Roadside Crossess" and "Edge," a stand-alone.

[Marcia Talley]

What an eclectic collection, Mary! Thank you. I love the juxtaposition of the "bigfoot" book with Darwin's Origin of the Species.

[Susan Neace]

I am rereading the 3 Firebird short story collections edited by Sharyn November. Excellent! Waiting on Amazon to deliver the latest Robin D. Owens Celta book and Sharon Shinn's latest from the Elemental Blessings series which my nearest local box store didn't carry

[Mary S.]

Elaine, the Deaver fest sounds good. :) I like to do those every now and then too.

Funny, Marcia! Didn't even think of that. My inner bookmonster sneaked one by me again. :)

Susan, wow, that's three authors I haven't read yet. The Elemental Blessings sounds very familiar though. May be in my wish list. Thank you so much - can't wait to check these out.

[Susan Neace]

Mary, Mystic and Rider by Sharon Shinn is a book I reread often. Although it is the first in a series it works as a standalone just fine.

[Mary S.]

Audible has Mystic and Rider, plus several other Shinn titles. Plus the Elemental series. All are very highly rated. Yippee!