Last edited Mon Jun 29, 2015, 06:46 AM - Edit history (1)

I'm sorry you haven't had much time to read.

This past week I read Wilderness by Lance Weller. I felt very connected to the few characters in the book, really heartfelt. This is a book that would translate into an excellent action packed movie. A movie of Wilderness would be an ambitious but tremendously rewarding project.

After Wilderness I read The Dog Stars by Peter Heller. I can understand the appeal The Dog Stars held for japple and Mrs. Enthusiast. This is a brutal dystopian novel and as such it would not be for everyone. But, as with Wilderness, I felt deeply connected to the few characters. The ending was particularly satisfying. We both felt The Dog Stars Part II would be in order.

This evening I will start Safe From the Sea by Peter Geye.

Over the past week Mrs. Enthusiast read Lighthouse Island by Paulette Jiles. She is anxious for me to read it.

Mrs. Enthusiast has started reading Wilderness by Lance Weller. She has a great connection with persons of the canine persuasion. I think Wilderness is the sort of book she will enjoy.

is such a vicious homophobe.

I don't think I'll be getting any more of his books either.

don't read Trinity by Leon Uris. This kind of book takes time to read because it causes me to think and reflect on the truth.

The prose of Mr. Uris is exquisite as he weaves the stories of Ulster Catholic and Anglo-Irish Ascendency families, the new capitalists and Scottish Presbyterian firebrands in the explosive mix of late 18th century northern Ireland. While most of the characters are fictional the thoughts and methods that have wrought the division of Ireland's 32 counties into 2 states complete with the horrors of the "troubles" of the late 20th century.

The methods of the powers that be consisting of the Hubble and Weed families is to set the lower classes against each other with the use of ethnic and religious prejudices. This a parable for what has been happening in our country.

The following dialogue between the Viscount Roger Hubble and his new ally the industrialist Sir Frederick Week is so representative of our country today. Just change the names and you can add the additional fuel to the fire of guns.

After a bloody riot in (London)Derry whipped up by the preaching of one Oliver Cromwell MacIvor the Viscount Roger Hubble is expressing his concerns to his new partner, the industrialist Sir Frederick Weed:
"'The man incited a riot,' Roger said in disbelief.
'Regrettable,' Weed mumbled insincerely. '……..Gladstone and all that bloody Liberalism have changed that. We have to depend on masses of people, repugnant as it may be. Our base of power is Protestant unity, the Orange Order, if you will. What our good Ulster folk lack in culture and sophistication they make up in assumed piety. It is a simple sort of mentality which has to be kept fed and happy with a few crumbs of old-fashioned Jesus sprinkled on their daily porridge. MacIvor, repulsive as he may be to you and me, knows how to say exactly what they want to hear and there is no better way to keep those people unified than to put them in a state of righteous outrage…the holy grail… the crusade… that sort of nonsense.'"

I came to similar conclusions.

Maybe Ireland serves as the model. It's a proven technique.

It's about horses and sex. Not necessarily in that order.

A spin-off from Rollins's Sigma Force series introduces ex-Army Ranger Tucker Wayne and his highly trained Belgian shepherd named Kane. Tucker and Kane must discover the truth behind an ancient life form that a terrorist wants to weaponize. The deep bond between dog and man has already become an essential and appealing part of the story. Another action, page-turner by Rollins.

Highly appropriate reading for this week, I'd say.

Good story. It's obvious who the killer is. But is it, really? I'll know by Wed., it's due back at the library then.

Wishing a pleasant week to all my fellow readers. I hope it's cooler at your house than mine. 100+ every day. No AC, just fans. Normal for this time of year is 85. (That's what I look like after I go out to water in the afternoons)

Seriously.

Between the two, I'll take the heat. Endless days of gray and rain take a toll on my spirit. At least I see the sun every day. What we need here is pipelines for rainwater, send it to the states in need. Better use for them than oil, IMO.

I picked up The Dog Stars today. Wow, Joseph Heller after all these years. Catch 22 was one of my favorite books ever and had a major influence on me those 40 some years ago. I really liked Something Happened, too. Now I see he's written all sorts of books about the environment and now this, the end of days. Already started in on it. Liking it.
Thanks for the rec.

Til next week then,

Bettyville by George Hodgman. A memoir of a man moving back to his hometown of Paris, MO to care for his elderly mother. Quite enjoyable.

St. Mazie by Jamie Attenberg. Mazie is the "Queen of the Bowery" in 1920's New York. Another good one.

The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart. An oldie, I just got around to the 1st in this Arthurian saga. Loved it.

In the Unlikely Event by Judy Blume. I love Judy, and wanted to love this book more than I actually did.

The Valhalla Exchange by Harry Patterson/George Higgins. Another older, but a well-told thriller.

Uprooted by Naomi Novik. If you enjoy fairy tale re-tellings, you will enjoy this. Excellent reviews.

A few more, both old and new that I either gave up on or in one case (The Summer of the Barshinkys) had the single most unsatisfying ending I have ever read.

I am also in the process of reading/re-reading the Agatha Christie Poirots and Marples. I had to take a break, they were starting to blend together!

I adored the Mary Stewart saga, years ago. Never forgotten it.

Judy Blume is a fun read, sometimes.

I will check out Uprooted and The Valhalla Exchange. Sounds like the sort of thing I enjoy.
Thanks.