Amanda, you didn't tell me about this one

Brotherband, Return of the Temujai by John Flanagan; 2019; $18.99; 337 pages; Philomel Books, New York, NY; 978-1-524-74144-0; checked out from Multnomah County Library, Hollywood; 12/4/19-12/10/19

Out of nowhere a book appeared by one of my favorite authors.  
After the events of Duel at Araluen, the brotherband of the Heron have returned to Skandia.  When they arrive home they are directed by the Oberjarl to conduct reconnaissance on a border incursion by a combative neighboring country. 
The Heron at points has to be portaged up some waterfalls but using their combined ingenuity they get to the lake and conduct surveillance on the warring tribe.  After being slighted in Duel, Lydia is used much more in this story.  
The crew of the Heron helps negotiate a peace for a while between the Skandians and the Temujai, but it is at cost that will make for an interesting next book.  

10/10

A long time between the Strain and the evolution

The Andromeda Evolution based on the Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton, a novel by Daniel H. Wilson; 2019;$29.99; 366 pages; Harper Collins, New York, NY; 978-0-06-247327-1; checked out from Multnomah County Library, St. Johns; 12/2/19-12/7/19

I remember the Andromeda Strain from back in the day.  I have read some stuff from Daniel H. Wilson so I thought I would give this a try.  
I almost gave up on it around 50 pages because there was so much techno babble.  However I persevered and it got better.  The action of the humans who are fighting against the evolution is fascinating and the cast of characters is an intriguing bunch of people.  I would like to read adventures of them that led up to the work they do here.  

8/10  

some answers, even more questions.

A Minute to Midnight, An Atlee Pine Thriller by David Baldacci; 2019; $29.00; 418 pages; Grand Central Publishing, New York, NY; 978-1-5387-6160-1; checked out from Multnomah County Library, Kenton;11/29/19-12/1/19

Atlee Pine saves a child from a human trafficker in a brutal manner and then she confronts the man she believes kidnapped her twin sister when they were six years old.  Then she is told to go on "vacation" and get her herself together.
So she and her assistant head east to her rural hometown to try and figure out what happened on that night so many years ago.
She begins questioning those who had been there that fateful night and finding as many questions as she does answers.
A series of unusual murders also begin when Atlee arrives in her hometown.  Are they directed at her, do they have something to do with her investigation or is it just coincidence?
Another exciting thriller from master storyteller David Baldacci.  I am looking forward to see where  the adventures of Atlee Pine go.  

10/10

Hard to read through the tears

Between Heaven & The Real World, My Story by Steven Curtis Chapman with Ken Abraham; 2017; $22.99; 437 pages; Revell, Grand Rapids, MI; 9780800726881; purchased from Lifeway Books, Beaverton; 11/22/19-11/28/19 

We went to a clearance sale at Lifeway books a few months ago and I picked up five or six books.  A few biographies and a few other things.  I already read the Charlie Daniels memoir.
I have been a big fan of SCC for many years and especially a fan of the song The Great Adventure.  I picked this up to find out more about him and see what he had to say.  I think this is one of the most emotionally forthright biographies I have ever read.  He talks about the high points and the low points in his life, his relationship with his wife and with his God.  This family suffered a devastating loss that affected them on so many levels, that they had to regroup and rebuild not only on a physical level but on emotion, spiritual, mental levels.  What they have gone through has had real consequences in their lives.  Growth in their lives and the lives of others has been strengthened, although it has not been in the manner which they wished.  If you want to know the real story of this artist read this, but be prepared to cry.
The day before this was posted I won tickets to see Steven Curtis Chapman in concert this coming Sunday.  I am looking forward to it. 
10/10

What is old is new again

Sunnyside Streetcars, The Streetcars of Southeast Portland by Richard Thompson; 2019; $24.99; 127 pages; America Through Time; 978-1-63499-117-9; purchased at the Title Wave Used Bookstore;11/20/19-11/21/19

An informative picture book of the Street Cars of Southeast Portland.  Interesting to see where the streetcars went and the routes max and the street car are retracing today.  It is amazing how many buildings in Southeast Portland are still standing.

10/10

Little Tiny Drain, Oregon

The Drain Black Sox of Oregon vs The Alpine Cowboys of Texas, The Glory Days of Semi-Pro Baseball: 1930-1960 by Joe R. Blakely; 2016;$14.95; 100 pages; Groundwaters Press, Lorane, OR; 9781536912609;purchased from the Friends of the Multnomah County Library Sorting Room; 11/19/19-11/20/19

Many small towns used to have semi pro baseball teams, but Drain is small small town.  In 1958 the players can together and challenged a much better funded team in the Alpine Cowboys from Texas in the Championship series.  The Cowboys traveled in luxury and were promised bonuses for their efforts during the season.  The Drain team traveled in station wagons for hundreds of miles during their season.  Drain bet several other teams in the Double Elimination tournament to win, beating the Cowboys twice.  There will be several names you will be familiar with if you follow baseball.  Eugeneans will recognize Hugh and Dan Luby.  This is a great baseball book and would make a wonderful movie. 

10/10 

I don't need no stinking badge

Blue Moon by Lee Child; 2019; $28.99; Delacorte Press, New York, NY; 978-0-399-59354-3; checked out from Multnomah County Library, Midland; 11/14/19-11/18/19

Lots of action, too much talking and thinking out loud.  I think this is the weakest Jack Reacher book I have read.  Reacher reaches a anonymous city that is run by the Ukranian and Albanian mobs.  They each run half of the city and have reached a certain level of detente.  However Reacher gets involved when he sees an abuse of power by a mobster.  Once Reacher is involved there is a firestorm that is set off as he plays each side against the other and discovers that there is another mega player involved.  Reacher spends too much time explaining and having an inner monologue.  At no time are the police ever involved as you would think they might be in a small town.  

8/10

WOW

So you want to talk about race by Ijeoma Oluo; 2018; $27.00; 242 pages; Seal Press, New York, NY; 978-1-58005-677-9;checked out from Multnomah County Library, Gresham; 11/5/19-11/13/19

A very forthright book on how racism is not necessarily an individual act, but a cumulative effect from a lifetime of racist actions perpetuated by a system that was designed to elevate one group and subjugate many others.  It also talks about the intersectionality of many different kinds of discrimination.  A very good book that anyone who wants to understand what is being talked about and wants to help things change for the better.  10/10

No Love in an Elevator

Elevator Pitch by Linwood Barclay; 2019; $26.99; 453 pages; William  Morrow, New York, NY; 978-0-06-267828-7;checked out from Multnomah County Library, Woodstock; 11/1/19-11/5/19

Some one has taken control of elevators in some of the buildings in New York City.  The right wing miltias, Islamic jihadist and more are all suspects.  The mayor is reluctant to close all the elevators in the city, because of the economic cost to the city, country and globe, because NYC is such a vertical city.  I was getting disappointed in the book because I thought the author had made it too easy to figure out who was responsible, but he put in a very effective twist and I had ignored some foreshadowing.  I will read more by the author.  

10/10

Seattle and more

All The Devils by Barry Eisler; 2019; $24.95; 352 pages; Thomas & Mercer,Seattle, WA; 978-1542094238;checked out from Multnomah County Library, Albina; 10/29/19-11/1/19

Seattle police detective Livia Lone specializes in solving human trafficking cases.  She escaped from traffickers earlier in her life and lost her sister to them.  Her abuser had been a powerful politician who also was her foster parent.  When she is approached by a homeland security investigator whose daughter disappeared many years and points out that the abduction of young girls is happening again in the same manner of his daughter, she agrees to help him investigate. As she begins to investigate certain people in very high places insert themselves into the investigation to keep her from finding the truth.  Using her connections in the intelligence field she uncovers the truth and in a tense confrontation in an unusual location brings the bad guys to justice.

10/10

Magical Realism and the Underground Railroad

The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates; 2019; $28.00; 403 pages; One World, New York, NY; 978-0-399-59059-7; checked out from Multnomah County Library, Gresham; 10/22/19-10/29/19

Another take on slavery and the underground railroad that involves magic.  The bi-racial son of a slave owner is the main character.  He is assigned to be the servant of his half brother, the owners heir.  The heir is a clueless moron while the slave is a prodigy with a flawless memory.  At some point he is recruited to be a member of the underground railroad after he tries to escape and is betrayed by a Negro freeman.  He possesses a power that he inherited from his mother and shares with Harriet Tubman. He has the power to fold time and space to make it easier to get from the south to the north.  Harriet also has this power and is how she helps people escape slavery.

This is a powerful book and shows the problems with slavery.  The characters are well rounded and fully characterized.  My only problem with the story is that the magic minimizes the struggles and bravery of those who ran the railroad.  
9/10

I lost track of time

City of Windows by Robert Pobi; 2019; $26.99; 386 pages; Minotaur Press, New York, NY; 978-1-250-29394-7; checked out from Multnomah County Library, Gregory Heights; 10/19/19-10/22/19

I read a teaser for this on The Real Book Spy and Lee Child has a quote about how good it is on the front cover.  
One day an FBI agent in a car in New York City in the middle of a snowstorm is assassinated and no one can figure out where the shot was fired from.  The only person to figure it out is University Professor and former FBI agent Lucas Page.  He left the FBI after THE EVENT, in which he lost an eye, an arm and a leg.  He comes in and gets on the nerves of some other agents and at the same time is getting closer and closer to finding the suspect.  Then the suspect decides to target Lucas's family and things get really tense.  I am looking forward to reading more in this series.
One morning at home I picked this up to read a chapter and before I knew  i had finished the book and I was leaving for work.

10/10

The Devil was an Uneasy Rider

Never Look at The Empty Seats, A Memoir by Charlie Daniels, 2017; $24.99; 268 pages; W Publishing, Nashville, TN; 978-0-7180-7496-8; purchased lifeway books in Beaverton at their going out of business sale;10/14/19-10/19/19

Did you know that Charlie Daniels parents have a different last name?  When Charlie was born the birth certificate had the last name of Daniel on it and a nurse thought it was wrong and added an S to it.  Wonder how things would have gone with an overzealous nurse.
Charlie tells stories on himself and about those he has worked with, without mudslinging, and how various people have influenced him.  Did you know that Charlie is one of the musicians on some early Dylan records.  Charlie tackles some issues that have arisen during his career based on some of the songs he has written and recorded.  I found out all kinds of exciting things and one that I can put to use in public speaking, Don't Look at the Empty Seats.

10/10

From Sea to Shining Sea

Aloha Rodeo, Three Hawaiian Cowboys, The World's Greatest Rodeo and a Hidden History of the American West by David Wolman and Julian Smith; 2019; $27.99; 242 pages; William Morrow, New York, NY; 978-0-06-283600-7; purchased from SmileAmazon.com so I could read it before meeting the authors at the Portland Book Festival, November 9; 10/11/19-10/14/19 

After reading this I realized that I had read two other books by David Wolman and found them intriguing.  He writes compelling non fiction stories.  
This is the story of the United States.  It stars three paniolo from Hawai'i who compete at Cheyenne, Wyoming's Frontier Days and startle the other competitors and the crowd.  Before we get to the climatic rodeo we are treated to a history of the Old West and the Hawai'ian Islands and how it all comes together on the rodeo grounds in Cheyenne.  We meet all kinds of historic figures that figure into the story.  Wolman and Smith are great at telling a compelling non fiction story.  

10/10

From Finland to Astoria

Deep River by Karl Marlantes; 2019; $30.00; 724 pages; Atlantic Monthly Press, New York, NY; 978-0-8021-2538-5; purchased from SmileAmazon.com because I wanted to read it before having it signed at the Portland Book Festival, Novemeber 9, 2019; 10/3/19-10/11/19

I have read two previous book by Karl Marlantes and they were a joy to read so when I heard that he was going to be at the Portland Book Festival on November 9 I picked up newest book.  
This is the story of a Finnish family who immigrate to the state of Washington.  Some are loggers, some are fishermen, one is a labor organizer for the IWW and one seems to do whatever they need to to survive.  They come in waves for various reasons.  There is a lot of Finnish history, along with history of the labor movement in the United States during the early part of the twentieth century.  The Russian occupation of Finland and World War I are important events in the book.  The history of Astoria, Oregon takes center stage at one point. The characters are fully drawn and compelling.  The motivation for each character is different and makes sense for that character.  I would strongly recommend it if you are a fan of family histories.  

10/10

Virus or Operative

Lethal Agent, A Mitch Rapp Novel by Kyle Mills; 2019; $28.99; 370 pages; Emily Bestler Books, New York, NY; 978-01-5011-9062-9; checked out from Multnomah County Library, North Portland; 9/30/19-10/3/19; 10/10

I started this book getting Brad Thor's Scott Horvath and Mitch Rapp mixed up.  I had to go back and check on a couple of characters.  One of the dangers of reading so much I guess.

One of Mitch Rapp's operations in a previous book has come back to haunt him.  A bad guy has decided that the way to bring the United States to its knees is to cause a world wide pandemic.  He wants to make it look the administration and the intelligence community have conspired to unleash a virus on the world to cement their place in the world.  Mitch must track down the bad guy by going undercover in a cartel and making contact through them.  Again the action takes our hero around the world.  

A Land of Strangers is a Land of Wolves

Land of Wolves by Craig Johnson; 2019; $28.00; 320 pages; Viking, New York, NY; 978-0-525-52250-8; checked out from Multnomah County Library, Kenton; 9/26/19-9/30/19; 10/10

Longmire has returned to Wyoming after his adventure in Mexico rescuing his daughter, Cady.  I am not sure which is the most fragile, Longmire's emotional or physical condition.  A hanged shepherd, who may or may not be a war criminal, an abused child and his abuser, and a wolf all figure prominently in the plot.  Craig Johnson's ability to weave some many disparate elements into a cohesive plot with focusing mainly on the characters and their interactions is what keeps me coming back to this series.  

Less than usual

Saving Faith by David Baldacci; 1999; 451 pages; Warner Books, New York, NY; 0-446-52577-4; checked out from Multnomah County Library, Midland; 6/16/19-6/26/19

Lee Adams, Private Investigator, is hired by an unknown client who offers him a large sum of money to follow a woman.  He follows her, saves her from an assassination attempt, falls in love with her, sees her get shot, lies to Congress, and brings down the number two man in the CIA.  All in a days work.  A rather pedestrian effort from David Baldacci, it reads like a movie of the week from the last century.  This is the first time I haven't been completely engrossed by a novel by David Baldacci.

6/10

it's all connectedd

The Institute by Stephen King: 2019; $30.00; 561 pages; Scribner, New York, NY; 978-1-9821-1056-7; checked out from the Multnomah County Library, Saint Johns; 9/16/19-9/19/19

Children being kidnapped and their parents killed.  Children transported while sedated to a room that looks almost exactly like their own room, except none of the rooms have windows.  Shades of Charlie McGee, from Firestarter, the kids are being used to execute people telepathically around the world.  The star chamber decides whom needs to be terminated to "protect"  the world from what they think will be happen.  Supposed precogs tell them what might happen and the star chamber targets someone for something they might do.  The Institute neglects to think about how powerful some of their charges are and what might happen if the children banded together.  With an ending reminiscent of the ending of Carrie, it all comes crashing down.  As with most of King's books you will find a connection to other books of his. 

10/10

I want to read more stories from The Wonderous World

The History of the Wonderous World as recorded for the The Laurel Society, Practitioners of The Wonderous Science, Updated and Approved by the Most High Hidden Librarian, An Overview of Significant People, Concepts and Events, A Supplementary Volume to Mysteries of the The Laurel Society by Brian W. Parker; 2019; $8.99; 32 pages; Believe in Wonder Publishing, Beaverton, OR; 978-1-690-07273-7; purchased from SmileAmazon.com; 9/16/19-9/16/19

This little volume is like a Tardis, it contains so much inside.  Beautiful artwork and paragraphs that are packed with wonder, paragraphs that made me want to dive much deeper and explore the Wonderous World even deeper.  Brian's first book of the Laurel Society that I am constantly wondering what he will do for the second volume.  

10/10 

A small town mystery goes international

Tiger Gulch, A Jim Solderheim Mystery by Dave Mitchner; 2018; $3.99; 49 pages; purchased from SmileAmazon.com; 9/13/19-9/15/19

This slim volume tells a story that has an international flair to it even though it begins and mainly takes place in Wildcat County, which I placed in Wyoming in my mind.  A man is murdered in a very ritualistic way that mirrors a cold case from twelve years before.  Jim Solderheim is assigned the current case and the cold case.  Jim is like a dog with a bone he won't let go until it is saved.  As he pulls on threads they lead back to an Army unit during the Korean War which has brought the enemy into their own back yard.  I hope the author writes some more.

10/10

Where are Ruth Ann, Kirsten, Bess, Debbie and so many more that I know

Notable Women of Portland by Tracy J. Prince and Zadie Schaefer; 2017; $26.99; 127 pages; Arcadia Publishing, Charleston, SC; 978-1-4671-2505-5; purchased at the Spring 2019 Friends of the Multnomah County Book sale; 9/11/19-9/13/19

This is part of the Images of America series so there is more emphasis on the pictures included.  It goes way back, prior to Statehood in 1859, highlight some of the indigenous woman who were in the area.  I did find out that the Sacajawea statue in Washington was driven by suffragettes who considered her a symbol of women's strength.   The women covered are a cross section of the population, women of color, women of wealth and middle class who have come to be well known.  

10/10 

I have been to Riddle, Oregon have you.

Cow Creek Valley Memories, The Early Settlers of Riddle Oregon by John M. Cornutt; 1971; Rachel Weinstein Business Services; purchased at the Friends of the Multnomah County Library Book Sale, April 2019; 9/10/19-9/11/19

I picked this up because we have friends, Dan and Sally Sieh, who live in Riddle and we visited them a few years ago and stayed in their guest house.  We took Nola part of the time and she got to see horses and pigs and more.  She even got to set on a horse for awhile.  
This is from 1970 and is the authors memories of growing up and living in and around the area from the late 1800's on.  It is fun to read someone's memories of their life and see how life has changed in oh so many ways.  

10/10  (for what it is)

new stories, with one really different

An Amish Christmas Kitchen, Three Novellas Celebrating the Warmth of the Season by Leslie Gould, Jan Drexler, and Kate Lloyd; 2019; $14.99; 300 pages; Bethany House, Minneapolis, MN; 978-07642-3383-8; a gift from Bethany House who requested a review; 8/30/19-9/11/19

Two of the stories were good but somewhat predictable, the third however was outside the box for an Amish story.  All of the stories happen within a few days of Christmas which restricts the authors storytelling. I enjoyed all of the stories, but there seems to be only so much you can do within the genre due to the restrictions placed on the authors by the group they are writing about.

8/10

the second time through it was even better

Whiskey When We're Dry by John Larison; 2018;$26.00; 387 pages; Viking, New York, NY; 978-07352-2044-7; purchased from SmileAmazon.com; 8/30/19-9/6/19

I reread this because I am leading a discussion on it at book club on September 14.  I was sucked in again by the author's use of language and how he is able to paint such memorable characters.  I also enjoyed the shout out to Johnny Cash and Shel Silverstein.  
This is the story of Jessilyn Harney and her life in the old west.  It is an unconventional tale of a woman who has to find her own way after she is abandoned by her older brother.  Her mother dies in childbirth and she is raised by her father and older brother, until conflict between them drives her brother off.  As her father tries to run their spread and deal with so much, he meets an accidental demise.  Jess then determines to find her brother and does so in a way that ensures that she doesn't have to rely on the men around her.  It explores the sexuality of several characters and what it means to follow a charismatic person.
Every one of the main characters is a fully realized human being with conflicts, characters flaw and doubts.  
I am looking forward to reading more from John Larison.

10/10

Looking for the underlying cause

How To Be An Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi; 2019; $27.00; 305 pages; One World, New York, NY; 978-0-525-50928-8; checked out from Multnomah County Library, Rockwood; 8/19/19-8/30/19

Okay this one is a difficult one to explain.  The author examines many different isms and how to combat them.  It is not enough to be not racist, we need to look for the causes of the racist, sexist policies that enable racism.  Racism is not just an individual problem but is also a systemic problem.  There are policies in place that cause racism, poverty, sexism and more.  We have to seek those causes out and replace them with equitable policies.  Ibram X Kendi is much more eloquent on the subject than I am.  

10/10

Wow, just wow 1+1 equals awesome

Ranger's Apprentice, The Royal Ranger, Duel at Araluen by John Flanagan; 2018; 327 pages; Penguin Random House Australia, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; 978-0-14-378592-7; borrowed from Kaden To who is safekeeping it for Amanda Banker, whose friend bought it for her in Australia and gave it to her in China, where she gave it to Kaden and he brought it to Portland; 8/21/19-8/22/19

An exciting crossover between John Flanagan's Brotherband and Ranger's Apprentice series.  I really enjoyed seeing how the two cast of characters interacted and how all the different people in authority would work together.  I missed seeing Lydia from Brotherband, I would like to see her and Maddie team up together.  I also missed Will and Halt.

An usurper has taken control of the castle and managed to isolate the head knight and ranger commandant far from the castle.  It is up to Maddie, the Ranger Apprentice (who also happens to be a princess) and the Brotherband to save the day.  Ingenuity and cunning are used to great advantage.

This only took me a day to read, because I read every moment I could and some I shouldn't have.  I read it in the middle of a very serious book.  

10/10

not so idyllic

One Good Deed by David Baldacci; 2019;$29.00; 420 pages; Grand Central Publishing, New York, NY;978-1-5387-5056-8; checked out from Multnomah County Library, Hollywood; 8/16/19-8/19/19

Archer ends up in Poca City after a stint in the Army and a stint in prison for a crime he didn't commit.  His first day in town he is offered work as a debt collector.  As he pursues the debt he is caught in a vicious dispute between the two richest men in the small town, one who flaunts his wealth and the other who quietly acquires more and more.  Also involved are two women in Archer's life, his probation officer and the estranged daughter of one of the men.  Things good back and forth between the good and the bad for Archer.  

An exciting debut for a new series from David Baldacci that climaxes with a interesting twist.  Looking forward to more adventures with Archer.

10/10

They Stole Leo Getz

The Big Kahuna by Janet and Peter Evanovich; 2019; $28.00; 301 pages; G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York, NY; 978-0-525-53664-2; checked out from Multnomah County Library, Holgate; 8/14/19-8/16/19

An FBI agent and a grifter are paired to find a missing Silicone Valley billionaire.  Many, including his wife, just want him declared dead.  Fox and O'Hare are tasked with finding the Big Kahuna, dead or alive. The boss at the FBI office assigns another agent to help, hoping that he will keep things in line or at least fill out the proper paperwork.  The action is all the place including deep into some rural Hawaiian islands.

This series is still fun, but the removal of co author Lee Goldberg with Janet Evanovich's son does not bode well for the series.  The new FBI agent is an all too recognizable rip off of Joe Pesci's character, Leo Getz, from the Lethal Weapon series.  

8/10

A Joe Pike Story

A Dangerous Man by Robert Crais; 2019; $28.00; 352 pages; G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York, NY; 9780525535683; checked out from Multnomah County Library; Capitol Hill; 8/8/19-8/9/19

Joe Pike witnesses a woman being kidnapped outside his bank and saves her.  His heroics start a confrontation with a powerful person and uncover a past that some of those involved know nothing of.  A Dangerous Man can refer to the powerful that will seemingly stop at nothing to get what he wants, but I prefer to think Joe Pike is the Dangerous Man.  Pike is not someone that you want to get on the wrong side of.  

10/10

At the highest judicial level

The Simple Truth by David Baldacci; 1998; $24.95;470 pages; Warner Books, New York, NY; 0-446-52332-1; checked out from the Multnomah County Library, Gresham; 8/4/19-8/8/19

Years ago an African American soldier was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in an Army prison.  One day he unexpectedly finds information that may clear his name.  His lawyer sends the information to the US Supreme court for a new trial.  A rule following court clerk breaks the rules and takes the brief.  He has set in motion a train that will come to threaten even the justices.  His brother, a policeman turned attorney, along with another clerk begin to investigate.  Lots of corruption and anger as the threads unravel.  

10/10

you can't go home again

True Believer by  Jack Carr; 2019; $28.00; 486 pages; Emily Bestler Books, New York, NY; 978-1-5011-8084-2; checked out from Multnomah County Library, Woodstock; 7/30/19-8/3/19

Why did I read this? Because I read the first book and Jack Carr has created a compelling character in James Reece.

James Reece is a wanted man in the United States after taking out the conspiracy of those who killed the members of his SEAL team and his family.  It was a conspiracy that reached to the halls of power in Washington, DC.  With the help of a few loyal friends he manages to flee the US and ends up living on a game preserve in Africa.  He is cleared in the court of public opinion when a reporter who was involved writes a series of articles detailing the corruption.  As Liam Neeson says, Reece has a particular set of skills and the US government would like to utilize those skills against an enemy who is seeking to destabilize governments and return Russia to a world superpower.  Reece is given a full pardon and access to all he needs to accomplish his mission.  He accomplishes what he is asked, but there is an opening for the next book.  

10/10

What is with the title of the review? Even after Reece is pardoned there is not much for him to return to after his family and many of his friends were murdered.  

Joining the Annual Shelf

Keep Your Love On!, Connection, Communication & Boundaries by Danny Silk; 2013;$14.99; 160 pages; Loving On Purpose, Sacramento, CA; 978-1-942306-06-1; purchased from Christianbooks.com; 7/3/19-7/12/19

Why did I read this?  Someone I know heard about it on the radio and said it sounded good so I went online and ordered it.  

We are trying to emulate Jesus love to those around us at all different levels of relationship.  Danny Silk uses many examples of how to deal with others in your life and how they interact with you.

10/10

What is with the title of the review?  This is one of those books that needs to be read on a regular basis.  

every silver lining has a touch of gray

The Winner by David Baldacci; 1997; $22.95; 513 pages; Warner Books, New York, NY; 0-446-52259-7; checked out from Multnomah County Library, Sellwood; 7/18/19-7/23/19

Why did I read this?  Because I am trying to read all of Baldacci's books.  I am now reading his stand alone stories.  

A young woman in Georgia with a daughter living in a trailer with an abusive man is chosen by an anonymous man to win the national lottery.  She must meet certain strident requirements set by her benefactor.  She is strong willed and often runs afoul of him and others.  An enterprising reporter (is there any other kind in these kinds of stories)  figures out the lottery can be fixed and that jeopardizes many people.  The mysterious man has no compunctions to protect as what he sees as his.  He is also a master of disguise so no one really knows who he is.  The characters are more important than the action, which is what makes the stories so good.

10/10

What is with the title of the review?  Even though you may win $10 Million there is going to be something bad happen also.  The Grateful Dead had a hit with this lyric.  

corruption corralled

Rules of War by Matthew Betley; 2019; $28.00; 360 pages; Emily Bestler Books, New York, NY; 978-1-5011-6202-2; checked out from Multnomah County Library, Belmont; 7/24/19-7/26/19

Why did I read this?  I have read the previous three books in the series and really enjoy the books.

In this exciting follow up, Logan West is in hot pursuit of the traitorous US Vice President.  The pursuit takes him around the world  and enables him to team up with some past associates and new ones also.  All the while he is having to contend with The Organizations plans for world domination.  The action is awesome but best are the characters.

10/10

What is with the title of the review?  The Organization has its fingers in many governments around the globe and has corrupted parts of those governments.  

confusion and corruption

Girls Like Us by Cristina Alger; 2019; $26.00; 276 pages; G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York, New York; 978-0-525-52580-5; checked out from Multnomah County Library, Gregory Heights; 7/16/19-7/18/19

Why did I read this?  The Real Book Spy gave it a good review and some authors I like gave it good blurb on the back cover.

The main character is a female FBI agent who has been on leave because of a traumatic event in her career.  She goes home and while there her father, a local policeman, dies, which set in motion all kinds of things.  She is asked to help with a local homicide and at first the evidence points to her father but as the story progresses things change and she is able to find the true perpetrator of the crime and clear her fathers name.  The crime has roots throughout the upper crust of the community.

9/10

What is with the title of the review?  The main character experiences a lot of confusion as she begins to investigate and uncovers a lot of corruption throughout the community.  

Uneven, as usual

Be With by Forrest Gander; 2018;$16.95; 92 pages; A New Directions Book, New York, NY; 9780811226059; checked out from Multnomah County Library, Central; 7/13/19-7/16/19

Why did I read this?  Each year I try to read all the Pulitzer Prize winning books.  This year may be difficult as there are several ginormous winners, this is not one of the winners.  This won for poetry.

As I have found with most books of poetry there are some poems I like, some I don't, some which make me go hmmm... and some that make me go what??.  In this collection I found no complete poems that I liked, but there were lines and stanzas that I found compelling.  

What is with the title of the review?  Every book of poetry that I have ever read has been uneven.  Some good stuff, some not so good.  

'rasslin in so many different ways

The Road Warriors, Danger, Death and the Rush of Wrestling by Joe "Animal" Laurinaitis with Andrew William Wright; 2001; $24.95; 368 pages; Medallion Press, Inc., Aurora, IL; 978-160542142-1; checked out from Multnomah County Library, Central; 6/30/19-7/2/19

I have watched sports entertainment even before it was sports entertainment.  One of our neighbors around 1986 was a pro wrestler little person who was the brother in law of Crush from the Legion of Doom.  I would sometimes ride from Portland to Eugene with him to go to shows he was doing there.  One of my favorite tag teams from the 1980's was the Road Warriors, so when I saw this I decided to read.  I didn't realize the Joe Lauriniatis was the brother of John and Marc who were also wrestlers and the father of James who played at Ohio State and then in the NFL.  This is his story of growing up, becoming a wrestler and the triumphs and tragedies in his life, from watching Hawk drown in drugs to winning multiple championships.   He shares how he and Hawk both turned their lives around by becoming Christians.  It is a good backstage look at an industry and doesn't pull too many punches, telling his version of what happened.  

10/10

power corrupts

Reaper, Threat Zero by Nicholas Irving with A.J. Tata; 2019; $27.99; 309 pages; St. Martins Press, New York, NY; 978-1-250-127365; checked out from Multnomah County Library, Woodstock; 6/28/19-6/29/19

It's family day at Camp David and the families of the cabinet members are on their way to meet their respective family members there.  In a flash there is an explosion and in the chaos every Secret Service agent and every family member, men, women and children are savagely murdered.
Former Army sniper Vick Harwood is called to be a member of a team that will seek retribution for these murders.  As he and the team begin to target those who allegedly target the families something seems off to him.  Partnering with a female FBI agent he is soon targeted by various elements of the U.S. government and the allies of those he targeted.  
As Vick and his partner flee they also are investigating the circumstances and figuring just how high the corruption and how someone is trying to manipulate them for their own political gain.

10/10

what's next?

Backlash by Brad Thor; 2019; $27.99; 378 pages; Emily Bestler Books, New York, NY; 978-1-9821-0403-0; checked out from Multnomah County Library, Belmont; 6/25/19-6/27/19

Scott Harvath awakens onboard a Russian airplane surrounded by mercenaries.  He awakens that several of his friends were murdered when he was kidnapped.  The plane crashes shortly after he awakes and he begins a mission of revenge and escape.  He knows who is responsible for the murder and kidnapping.  He has crash landed in Russia near the Finnish border. Scavenging through the wreckage of the plane he finds supplies and clothing to help him escape.  Meanwhile back in the U.S.A.  his friends and colleagues are mobilizing to rescue him.  They must do so without the citizens of the United States or the Russian Government know that they are aware of where he is and what is happening.
An exciting adventure that has all the earmarks of a great Brad Thor story.  It will be interesting to see where he goes from here since so many of the supporting characters are gone.  

10/10

very moving

Sacred Duty, A Soldier's Tour at Arlington National Cemetery by Tom Cotton; 2019;$28.99; 301 pages; William Morrow, New York, NY; 978-0-06-286315-7; checked out from Multnomah County Library, Hollywood; 6/18/19-6/20/19

Senator Tom Cotton is a former member of the Old Guard, an Army unit that provides the following: guards at Arlington National Cemetery, guards for Presidential events, and guards for parades.   The best known portion of the unit is the Sentinels, who guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  
With his inside knowledge of the unit and access to the current members of the unit he is able to convey the meaning of the unit and its policies and procedures.  This is a moving book.  

10/10

quite the letter

Dear Marcus, A Letter to the Man Who Shot Me by Jerry McGill; 2012; $22.00; 169 pages; Spiegel & Gray, New York, NY; 978-0-8129-9307-3; checked out from Multnomah County Library, North Portland; 6/21/19-6/25/19

At age thirteen, as he was walking home from a friend's house, Jerome McGill was shot in the back and became a quadriplegic. The shooter was never apprehended so therefore the identity of his shooter remains a mystery.  Thirty years later, he decided to writer a letter to the person who shot him.  He arbitrarily picked the name Marcus and shares his feelings and the results of the shooting, physically, mentally, emotionally and relational. McGill now goes by Jerry, because things that Jerome wanted will never be.  He has recovered some use of his arms, he has gotten a bachelors in literature from Fordham University and a masters in education from Pacific University.  He currently lives in Portland.  It is a very good book that gives insight into the life and mind of one person.  
10/10

A Man, A Woman and A Dog

Deception Cove by Owen Laukkanen; 2019; $28.00;372 pages; Mulholland Books, New York, NY; 978-0316-44870-3; checked out from Multnomah County Library, Woodstock; 6/14/19-6/18/19

I am looking forward to someday reading more by Owen Laukkanen, I really like his style.  
Mason Burke was the getaway driver in a robbery in which someone was killed.  He was charged with murder, pled guilty and served his sentence.  One thing he did prior to his release was help train a rescue dog, Lucy, to be an emotional support dog for a Marine suffering from PTSD.
Lucy went to Jess Winslow, a female Marine, who lives on the Washington coast.  Her late husband had gotten involved in something illegal and the bad guys are coming after her.  
Mason finds out where Lucy has gone and goes there to check on her and gets involved in the fight between Jess and the bad guys.  The interplay between good and bad and shades of grey is amazing.  Almost every character has multiple sides to them and the author really brings them to life.  The relationships ebb and flow like real relationships do.   

10/10

better than any movie (except maybe Kelly's Heroes)

Spearhead, An American Tank Gunner, His Enemy and a Collision of Lives in World War II by Adam Makos; 2019;$28.00; 393 pages; Ballantine Books, New York, NY; 978-0-8041-7672-9; checked out from Multnomah County Library, Gregory Heights; 6/5/19-6/13/19

This is the story of two tank gunners from WWII, one from the United States and the other from Germany.  There are a few supporting characters another US tank gunner and a US infantryman.  These men and several other people who were involved were interviewed and those interviews are the book, with some historical information added.  The main battle is in Cologne at the end of the war.  The conclusion of the story is the two gunners meeting and becoming friends at the start of this century.  
A well told tell that avoids most of the cliches and tropes of a war story.

10/10

excelsior, 'nuff said and Captain America

Marvel Comics, The Untold Story by Sean Howe; 2012; $26.99; 484 pages; Harper, New York, NY; 978-0-06-199210-0; checked out from Multnomah County Library, Central; 5/23/19-6/2/19

The story of how Timely Comics became the Marvel juggernaut.  The author has interviewed many of the people who had something to do with the growth of the company.   Stan Lee, Jim Lee, Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, The Revlon Guy, Joe Quesada, John Byrne, Chris Claremont are all represented.  Even Jim Shooter, Rob Liefield (boo, hiss) and Todd McFarlane.  The chronology goes from the 1940's to 2012, as the Marvel Cinematic Universe is gaining ground. 
'Nuff Said

9/10

locked in

If She Wakes by Michael Koryta; 2019; $28.00; 393 pages; Little, Brown and Company, New York, NY; 978-0-316-29400-3; checked out from Multnomah County Library, Midland; 6/2/19-6/5/19

Abby Kaplan a former stunt car driver turned insurance investigator is assigned the case of college student Tara Beckley.  Tara was escorting a visiting engineer to a speaking engagement when they were involved in a horrific accident that killed the engineer.  Tara is now suffering from locked in syndrome, conscious and aware but unable to move any part of herself to let the doctors and family know she is aware.  As Abby investigates she begins to realize the significance of what happened as does Tara from the conversations going on around her.  Abby fights against those who don't want her to uncover the truth as Tara fights against her own body to prevent further suffering and death among her family.  
This is a gripping thriller on at least two levels.  Michael Koryta is a great thriller writer.  

10/10

Peterson's Rules are better than Gibbs (and there are fewer of them)

12 Rules For Life, An Antidote to Chaos by Jordan B. Peterson; 2018; $25.95; 409 pages; Random House Canada, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; 978-0-345-81602-3; checked out from Multnomah County Library, Albina; 5/3/19-5/23/19

One of our teachers at church, who was also a classmate of mine in high school mentioned this book on Easter Sunday.  I decided to pick it up.  It is a great read and I am going to purchase a copy so that I can mark it up.  Each of the rules make sense after reading the book and many are self explanatory.  I think lots more people should read this book. 

10/10

Rule 1 Stand up straight with your shoulders back

Rule 2 Treat yourself like you would someone you are responsible for helping

Rule 3 Make friends with people who want the best for you

Rule 4 Compare yourself with who you were yesterday, not with who someone else is today

Rule 5 Do not let your children do anything that makes you dislike them

Rule 6 Set your house in perfect order before you criticise the world

Rule 7 Pursue what is meaningful (not what is expedient)

Rule 8 Tell the truth – or, at least, don’t lie

Rule 9 Assume that the person you are listening to might know something you don’t

Rule 10 Be precise in your speech

Rule 11 Do not bother children when they are skate-boarding

Rule 12 Pet a cat when you encounter one on the street