Title |
Author |
Rating |
Description |
The Book of Fate |
Brad Meltzer |
** |
A cheap take off of the Da Vinci code. The story involved a
hard to believe conspiracy between highly placed US agents who happen to be
Masons. Just good enough to keep you reading - just bad enough to make you
glad to finish. |
A Painted House |
John Grisham |
** |
Mildy interesting and well written story about migrant
cotton pickers in Alabama. Not much point to the story though. |
Atonement |
Ian McEwan |
** |
Set in England just before WWII this is a story of a big
misunderstanding that changes a bunch of peoples' lives forever. Well
written and easy to read but not much point to it. |
Black White & Jewish |
Rebecca Walker |
** |
Autobigraphy of a woman with a black mother and white
Jewish father and the trials and tribulations of her childhood. Interesting,
but in the end her childhood doesn’t seem much more difficult than the
average person. |
Brunelleschi's Dome |
Ross King |
** |
The story of the daring design and successful building of
the dome of the cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence in the 15th
Century. A short book (160 pgs) and an easy read, but quite a bit of
technical detail. Architects and engineers would enjoy this book. |
Caddie Sense |
Michael Carrick |
** |
Written by Tom Kite's caddie of many years. Moderately
interesting but only for one who likes golf. |
Caine Mutiny |
Herman Wouk |
** |
1952 Pulizter Prize winning novel about life on a warship
in WWII |
Digital Fortress |
Dan Brown |
** |
First book by the author of the Da Vinci Code. An interest
holding page turner, but not nearly as sophisticated or as believable as his
most current effort. |
Double Tap |
Steve Martini |
** |
Fairly entertaining murder mystery, but I found the story
pretty weak. A former Delta Force officer is jailed for a murder he didn't
commit on pretty flimsy evidence and it takes his brilliant lawyer an awful
lot of effort and danger to finally find the real killer. Good beach
reading, but you can find better! |
Elizabeth - The Struggle for the Throne |
David Starkey |
** |
The story of the early life of Elizabeth I and how she
ultimately became queen, with tons of historical information on Henry VIII
and what was going on in England at the time. A worthwhile book full of
interesting information, but a bit slow at times. Recommended for anyone
with a real interest in the subject. |
First You Have to Row a Little Boat |
Richard Bode |
** |
A book about sailing as a metaphor for life |
Girl with a Pearl Earring |
Tracy Chevalier |
** |
Good story set in the time of the artist Vermeer.
|
Growing Up |
Russell Baker |
** |
Autobiography about growing up in the depression.
Interesting read. |
High Exposure |
David Breashears |
** |
Biography of well known climber and film maker who was on
Mt. Everest during the huge storm in which many climbers died. Maker of the
IMAX film Mt. Everest. A good book if you like this genre. |
Keep Australia on Your Left |
Eric Stiller |
** |
Two guys attempt to circumnavigate Australia in a kayak |
Last Man Standing |
David Baldacci |
** |
Mystery thriller involving an FBI agent and a psychiatrist.
Good action, reasonable page turner, with a so-so plot and a less than
satisfying ending. A fine beach book to kill some time. |
Leonardo Da Vinci |
Sherwin Nuland |
** |
Short and disappointing biogaphy. Very shallow and focused
more on whether da Vinci was gay than on his real accomplishments |
Lionheart |
Jesse Martin |
** |
Story of a 17 year old Australian boy who becomes the
youngest person to sail singeld handed, non-stop, and unassisted around the
world despite not having much sailing experience. |
Lost on Everest - The Search for Mallory & Irvine |
Peter Firstbrook |
** |
George Mallory and Andrew Irvine were part of a British
expedition in 1924 which attempted to climb Mt. Everest. They set off for
the summit and never returned. There was much speculation as to whether this
pair was in fact, succeesful in reaching the sum |
Nathaniel's Nutmeg |
Giles Milton |
** |
True story of the spice wars between the Dutch and the
English and the little island called Run which was eventually traded for New
York. Interesting book. |
On Secret Service |
John Jakes |
** |
Historical Fiction about the Civil War, Pinkerton, and the
beginning of the Secret Service |
Paradise Found - A Cape York Adventure |
Linda Rowe |
** |
A self-published book written by the "Croc Lady" who runs a
souvenier shop in Cooktown. She spent about ten years living in the wild
Cape York peninsula and this book is about her adventures there. An easy and
fun read especially for anyone planning an outback adventure. Personally,
I'd stick to sailing! |
Punk's War |
Ward Carroll |
** |
Written by a former Navy fighter pilot, the story is set on
an aircraft carrier in the Persian gulf. It provides a good portrait of life
as a fighter pilot and is worth reading for that. The story is not real
strong, but good enough to hold your interest. |
Riding Lessons |
Sara Gruen |
** |
Story quite similar to the Horse Whisperer, but not nearly
as well written. Of interest to horse lovers or those wanting a light, quick
read. |
Saving Monticello |
Marc Leepson |
** |
The story of Thomas Jefferson's home after his death until
it became a national treasure over 100 years later. It focuses on the role
of the Levy family, who owned the mansion for over 80 years and likely saved
it from complete ruin. Worth reading if you enjoy history or are a Jefferson
fan. |
The Diary of Fletcher Christian |
Peter Corris |
** |
A real disappointment as it appears to be a non-fiction
book. The preface is all about the discovery of an actual journal of the
leader of the Bounty mutiny. But it turns out to be pure fiction - based on
the same previously known facts but told from Chri |
The Irish Game |
Matthew Hart |
** |
Story of major art theft in Ireland in the 70's. Somewhat
interesting, but seems like it was a stretch to make it into a book.
|
The Lion's Game |
Nelson DeMille |
** |
A strangely frightening book written before Sept 11
featuring a Libyan terrorist, a hijacked airplane, and numerous references
to the World Trade Centers. It's a good page turner of a book, but the
ending leaves a lot to be desired. Events of the past cou |
The Millionaires |
Brad Meltzer |
** |
Brothers who work at a bank plan a white collar crime but
get in the way of some mean people. An adequate time passer. |
The Perfect Season |
Tim McCarver |
** |
Tim McCarver, former major leaguer, makes the case that
1998 was the greatest season in baseball history. From the McGwire-Sosa home
run battle, to David Wells perfect game, to Cal Ripken's ending of The
Streak, to several magnificent team efforts includi |
The Places in Between |
Rory Stewart |
** |
A Scottish writer walks across Afghanistan and lives to
tell about it. Unfortunately, he seems to be a much better walker than
writer. Sounds like it should be interesting and it is in parts, but it
never really grabs you. Lots of quotes from medieval authors trying to
provide some historical context, but I didn't find that of much use.
|
The Smoke Jumper |
Nicholas Evans |
** |
By the author of the Horse Whisperer. I found this one a
little disappointing. It was OK to pass the time and held my interest fairly
well, but it was much more of a soap opera about classic star crossed lovers
than about firefighting. |
Total Control |
David Baldacci |
** |
Thriller with a plane crash and scheme revolving around
federal reserve rate changes. Not really plausible, but a good time passer. |
Violets are Blue |
Richard Patterson |
** |
Easy to read thriller about vampires and goths carrying out
gory murders. Not very believable and not one of his best. |
Wild Horses |
Dick Francis |
** |
Typical, entertaining Cick Francis novel |
Working on the Edge |
Spike Walker |
** |
True story of fishing for Alaska King Crab - one of the
most dangerous professions in the world |
Zero Game |
Brad Meltzer |
** |
Reasonably interesting thriller about staffers on Capitol
Hill and a game they play that turns deadley. Not particularly memorable,
but passes the time and not a disappointment. |