Book Nook Cafe discussion

Here is a folder for you to list the books you read last month.

Please provide:
~ A GoodRead link
~ A few sentences telling us how you felt about the book.
~ How would you rate the book

With the upcoming 4th of July holiday, I thought people will be busy so I am putting this thread up early.

I don't think I'll be finishing any other books this month, so here are my June 2012 reads.

Tea and Sympathy~~Robert Woodruff Anderson
Fiction - Play
Rate 4/5
I read this play for BNC's group play read. We had a terrific discussion about the play which you can find in our play thread. A big thanks to all who read and discussed this fascinating play. I always get so much more out of my reading when I read it with you all. :)

Harvey~~Mary Chase
Fiction - Play
Rate 4/5
I thoroughly enjoyed this comedic play. The main character, Elwood, believes he has a 6 foot tall invisible rabbit, named Harvey, as a friend. Elwood is an eccentric simple man. His sister, wants to institutionalize him. My favorite line from the play is, 'Dr. Chumley, my mother used to say to me, In this world, Elwood, - she always called me Elwood- She'd say, In this world, Elwood you must be oh, so smart or oh, so pleasant.' For years I was smart, I recommend pleasant. You may quote me."

The Possibility of You~Pamela Redmond
Fiction
Rate 2
Beach read. The story of three generations of women and how they deal with an unexpected pregnancy. I read this for my f2f book club. We had a good discussion.

Super Immunity: The Essential Nutrition Guide for Boosting Your Body's Defenses to Live Longer, Stronger, and Disease Free~~Joel Fuhrman
Non Fiction
Rate 4/5
Advice on how to get and stay healthy through a plant based diet. I've read and enjoyed his other book, the best seller,Eat to Live: The Revolutionary Formula for Fast and Sustained Weight Loss. If you want to feel better and avoid illness, I recommend this book.

Brain Power: Improve Your Mind as You Age~~Michael J. Gelb
Non Fiction
Rate 3/5
Positive and encouraging up to date advice on how to improve your brain health through diet, exercise, and attitude. It's a terrific book to read if you would like to improve your daily life as well as your brain long term.

Alias Reader wrote: "In this world, Elwood you must be oh, so smart or oh, so pleasant.' For years I was smart, I recommend pleasant. You may quote me."..."

Absolutely the best quote in the play. It's something we probably learn again & again. And, please note, it wasn't sage advice from Harvey, but his mother. Sweet.

I intend to finish at least one book before month's end, so will refrain from posting yet.

deb

My reads for June 2012:

Nothing Daunted: The Unexpected Education of Two Society Girls in the West by Dorothy Wickenden. Rating: 3 stars. The story of two Smith college graduates who spent a year as teachers in the "wilds" of Colorado in 1916. Written by the granddaughter of one of the ladies from the letters that the families back home received. A nice story, but I thought it was missing something. Could have been better fleshed out.

A Good Indian Wife by Anne Cherian. Rating: 3 stars. Chick lit with a twist--a tale of an arranged Indian marriage. I enjoyed it, mostly because I didn't expect it to be anything other than that. A good, quick summer read.

Say Her Name: A Novel by Francisco Goldman. Rating: 4 stars. In 2005, celebrated novelist Goldman married a beautiful young writer named Aura Estrada in a romantic Mexican hacienda. The month before their second anniversary, Aura broke her neck while body surfing. Francisco, blamed for Aura's death by her family and blaming himself, wanted to die, too. Instead, he wrote "Say Her Name," a novel chronicling his great love and unspeakable loss. I was torn between giving this 3 or 4 stars. If I were to grade it based solely on my enjoyment of the book, it would be a 3. I found the writing to be rather uneven--in parts it was stunning, yet in others I found myself skimming the text. In the end, though, I gave it 4 stars in recognition of the nearly palpable grief and love expressed on its pages.

My Own Country: A Doctor's Story by Abraham Verghese. Rating: 5 stars. Excellent narrative of a young doctor who--by virture of his infectious diseases specialty, his "foreign-ness" and his deep and utter compassion for others--becomes the "AIDS expert" in a small rural setting of East Tennessee in the mid-1980s, when the number of HIV-infected patients begins to rise. Though it's a nonfiction account, it reads like a novel while providing a fascinating and unflinching look at how AIDS affected the gay community, how it made its way from the urban centers into the rural communities -- and how the American public responded to the public health crisis. I'd give it 6 stars if I could -- I can't recommend it highly enough. One caveat, however: don't read it while you are eating, if you are squeamish.

The Night Strangers by Chris Bohjalian. Rating: 2.5-3 stars. I wanted to like it more than I did, because I enjoy Bohjalian's earlier works. Just wasn't feeling the ghost story angle. And I hated the ending.

Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James. Rating: 1 star. If my book club hadn't selected this for discussion, I wouldn't have picked it up. And I certainly wouldn't have finished it. Fifty different shades of horrible. The writing is so bad it actually made me laugh out loud. If you want porn, try the letters to Penthouse. They are better written than this dreck.

Cemetery Girl by David J Bell. Rating: 2 stars. Sadly, this book did not live up to my expectations. The characters are rather one-dimensional and the plot twists are both predictable and absurd. Not the best psychological thriller I've ever read, by any means.

The Weight of Heaven by Thrity Umrigar. Rating: 4 stars. Engrossing tale of a man's descent into madness and grief and the shocking consequences of his actions, as well as a stark look at how entire countries are being shaped and devastated by the forces of globalization.

Amy, I have been wanting to readMy Own Country: A Doctor's Story since I enjoyed his book, Cutting for Stone so much. After reading your review, I'll definitely pick it up.

Connie wrote: "Amy, I have been wanting to readMy Own Country: A Doctor's Story since I enjoyed his book, Cutting for Stone so much. After reading your review, I'll definitely pick it up."

I actually enjoyed "A Doctor's Story" even more than "Cutting for Stone," Connie! I think you'll really like it. Verghese's writing is so...well, almost magical. Even when writing nonfiction.

Thanks for the reviews, Amy. I've been curious about Verghese's new book, and I greatly admire Thrity Umrigar. Your responses were encouraging.

Connie wrote: "Amy, I have been wanting to readMy Own Country: A Doctor's Story since I enjoyed his book, Cutting for Stone so much. After reading your review, I'll definitely pick it up."

I thoroughly enjoyed My Own Country: A Doctor's Story several years ago, and Cutting for Stone is a favorite. You should love it.

Amy wrote: "My reads for June 2012:

Nothing Daunted: The Unexpected Education of Two Society Girls in the West by Dorothy Wickenden. Rating: 3 stars. The story of two Smith college graduates who spent a year ..."
-------------

We just selected this for a group read with my f2f book club. I think we are reading it at the end of the year.

Nice reading month, Amy ! Thank you so much for sharing with the group.

Have just added The Weight of Heaven to my TBR list. Thanks Amy. Already on my bookcase are Cutting for Stone along with Skeletons at the Feast

Lesley, Skeletons at the Feast was my introduction to Chris Bohjalian. I like his work but none thus far have equaled that first one. Enjoy.

Madrano wrote: "Lesley, Skeletons at the Feast was my introduction to Chris Bohjalian. I like his work but none thus far have equaled that first one. Enjoy."

Do you mean "Midwives"? I totally agree.

I have just finished Behind the Beautiful Forevers, by Katherine Boo.
Picture a modern road coming from the Mumbai airport. The road is lined with repeated copies of a large billboard for floor tiles, that are advertised as "beautiful forever." But behind those signs is a slum area which Boo describes as an "undercity." Most of the people there scratch out a living by collecting garbage from the airport and selling it to recyclers. She writes about the residents of this community with great respect and compassion, illustrating their many efforts to rise out of poverty and the barriers of culture and corruption that foil so many of them. It's easy to read, hard to forget and thoughtfully constructed.

Amy wrote: "Madrano wrote: "Lesley, Skeletons at the Feast was my introduction to Chris Bohjalian. I like his work but none thus far have equaled that first one. Enjoy."

Do you mean "Midwives"? I totally agree."

No, i haven't read that one yet. My next Bohjalian was The Buffalo Soldier. Since i'm not a fan of much contemporary setting for novels, it may be that this was why it didn't impress as much.

deb

Sarah wrote: "I have just finished Behind the Beautiful Forevers, by Katherine Boo. [bookcover:Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life Death And Hope In A Mumbai Undercity]
Picture a modern road coming from the Mu..."

I remember thinking this book would be good. Yet, didn't put it on my list because i just wasn't sure i'd really like it. Therefore your comments are appreciated, Sarah. Thanks.

deb

Sarah wrote: "I have just finished Behind the Beautiful Forevers, by Katherine Boo. [bookcover:Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life Death And Hope In A Mumbai Undercity]
Picture a modern road coming from the Mu..."

I downloaded this onto my Nook for my upcoming vacation. I have been eagerly anticipating reading it. It's gotten great reviews. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it.

Madrano wrote: "Amy wrote: "Madrano wrote: "Lesley, Skeletons at the Feast was my introduction to Chris Bohjalian. I like his work but none thus far have equaled that first one. Enjoy."

Do you mean "Midwives"? I ..."

"Midwives" was my favorite of Bohjalian's works. I read it first and really liked it. And then I've read every other one of his novels as they've come out--but none have impressed me as much as "Midwives" did.

Sarah wrote: "I have just finished Behind the Beautiful Forevers, by Katherine Boo. [bookcover:Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life Death And Hope In A Mumbai Undercity]
Picture a modern road coming from the Mu..."

I am really looking forward to reading this when I get my hands on a copy. I love India and have strong memories of my trip there a few years ago. I will be returning another time for sure. I have strong recollections of the drives to/from the Delhi airport, my first and last impressions were so very strong. One of those being children sorting rubbish on top of a big rubbish tip. I'd seen this on tv documentaries but still confronting to see it with your own eyes. On arrival after midnight the taxi almost hit a lame donkey as it struggled across the dimly lit road. One the the girls I was sharing the taxi with started crying, as I think the whole 'assault on the senses' thing was too much.

Mine were:

Abide with Me - Ian Ayris
Fifty Shades of Grey - - E.L. James
Fifty Shades Darker - E.L. James
Fifty Shades Freed - E.L. James
Quenched - Z.L. Arkadie

Pulitzer Prize-winner Sarah wrote: "I have just finished Behind the Beautiful Forevers, by Katherine Boo. [bookcover:Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life Death And Hope In A Mumbai Undercity]
It's easy to read, hard to forget and thoughtfully constructed.
-------------------

I like the way you worded that, Sarah.

I see the author is a Pulitzer Prize-winner.

Thanks for bringing the book to my attention. I never heard of it before. I've added it to my TBR list.

Lesley wrote: On arrival after midnight the taxi almost hit a lame donkey as it struggled across the dimly lit road. One the the girls I was sharing the taxi with started crying, as I think the whole 'assault on the senses' thing was too much.
-------

Thanks for sharing your experience with us, Lesley. I am sure having seen India first hand, the book will resonate with you.

Fiona (Titch) wrote: "Mine were:

Abide with Me - Ian Ayris
Fifty Shades of Grey - - E.L. James
Fifty Shades Darker - E.L. James
Fifty Shades Freed - E.L. James
Quenched - Z.L. Arkadie"
-------------

My niece, who never reads, told me this weekend she read all three 50 shades in just a few weeks. She couldn't put it down.

Alias Reader wrote: "Fiona (Titch) wrote: "Mine were:

Abide with Me - Ian Ayris
Fifty Shades of Grey - - E.L. James
Fifty Shades Darker - E.L. James
Fifty Shades Freed - E.L. James
Quenched - Z.L. Arkadie"
----------..."

Alias, if you don't mind smut (as they say), then you have to read the books lol.

I'm REALLY dating myself, but does anyone else remember Tom Lehrer's wonderful ditty called "Smut"

Give me smut!
A dirty novel I can't shut!
I like it more
If it's uncut
and unsubt-
le.

I never quibbled
If it was ribald.
I would devour
Where others merely nibbled.
As the judge remarked
The day that he
Acquitted my Aunt Hortense,
"To be smut,
it must be ut-
terly
without redeeming social importance."

It goes on, with great applause for " . . . freedom of the press (in other words,
Smut!)"

Lesley wrote: "children sorting rubbish on top of a big rubbish tip. I'd seen this on tv documentaries but still confronting to see it with your own eyes. On arrival after midnight the taxi almost hit a lame donkey as it struggled across the dimly lit road. One the the girls I was sharing the taxi with started crying, as I think the whole 'assault on the senses' thing was too much. ..."

Lesley, i must admit that i fear my own reaction might be similar to the woman who shared the taxi with you. And i'm awful when people beg for money, a mess for hours afterward.

deb

Amy wrote: ""Midwives" was my favorite of Bohjalian's works. I read it first and really liked it. And then I've read every other one of his novels as they've come out--but none have impressed me as much as "Midwives" did. ..."

Isn't that interesting? I wonder if he is the sort of author who first impression is so strong that we cannot be as drawn into his subsequent books when we read them? I don't run into that often, but it seems each of us (thus far) have liked the original book we read by him better than any subsequent ones. I'm not giving up & have Midwives on my shelf. Maybe this summer?

deb

I read only 3 books in June. In addition to the 3 below, however, i read another 200 pages in my quest to complete Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra by the end of this year.

Robin Hood "written by" George Cockburn Harvey. This is a compilation of the stories about Hood & his band of thieves. Most of the originals were in verse, a bit of which Harvey included in the stories, but only to flesh out some events with style. Overall i learned what i wanted from this book but felt it was lacking. I liked that Hood didn't always "win", though.

The Swerve: How the World Became Modern by Stephen Greenblatt. You may recall that last month i had On the Nature of the Universe by Lucretius, in preparation of reading this one. Well, i was deeply disappointed in Greenblatt's Pulitzer & National Book Award winner. Perhaps i already knew too much about the Church in the 14th-16th century, so that his chapters on that (which was more than half the book), were rehashing. However, even after the story of recovering Lucretius's work, the story failed. Greenblatt spent one chapter summing up what L wrote, then 2 1/2 chapters telling the scientific and literary "children" of the publication. Overall, while this part was interesting, it was too little information. And very little art or even explanation of how art was precipitated by the ancient Roman work. I was quite let down by this one, i must admit. And i read it with an online friend, who felt the same way.

The Third Domain: The Untold Story of Archea and the Future of Biotechnology by Tim Friend. NOTE: The GR link misspelled the title "character", if you will. It's archAea, which is one of the 3 classifications of life. There are 1) bacteria, 2) archaea and 3)eucaryotes (also spelled eukaryotes), which include fungi, monkeys, whales and humans: or everything which isn't the first two.

This book is about archaea, including the battle the initial scientist who "discovered" them faced when he wrote about them. Archaea are the critters that live in the Yellowstone geysers & lakes and the deep-sea vents. However, slowly they've been discovered on comets, mountains, and your gums. Yes, they are in our bodies. The book, then, is about how they became a focus of science & why they matter. One reason they matter is because it's now suggested THEY are the origins of life on earth.

The book ends with a list of some bacteria & how they are being used or in trials to combat ecological issues we have, including oil spills, overwhelming amounts of garbage and nuclear waste. However, first must be sequencing of their matter, then an understanding of what must be done.

This is not a great book, let me hasten to add. At one point, after witnessing the remains of The Titanic being "consumed" by metal devouring "rusticles", a consortium of archaea & other critters, Tim Friend begins to advocate his belief about them. The problem is Friend isn't a scientist, but a knowledgeable journalist. While it's fine that he has a theory, when the prose seemed to be presented to support his idea, i felt i was missing more info about the subject i came to the book to read.

Still, i'm glad i had this introduction into the discovery of the domain & a recap of the DNA science involved, including genome projects. It was fairly easy to read, too, if one can remember anything about what they learned in biology class. (Or from the DNA discovery movie, Double Helix, based on the book The Double Helix by James D. Watson, co-"discoverer" of the structure of DNA.)

deb, who is thinking that the long recap of this last book tells you of my Favorite of the Month!

Sarah wrote: "I'm REALLY dating myself, but does anyone else remember Tom Lehrer's wonderful ditty called "Smut"

Give me smut!
A dirty novel I can't shut!
I like it more
If it's uncut
and unsubt-
le.

I never ..."
---------------

LOL
I never heard that before. Good one !

Madrano wrote: "Lesley, i must admit that i fear my own reaction might be similar to the woman who shared the taxi with you. And i'm awful when people beg for money, a mess for hours afterward.

=====================

Deb, I am going to take your comment here and also post it on the thread for our current group read. I have a question that I want to ask, but don't want to hijack this thread.

I read 3 books in June.

The Butterfly Cabinet. The book was not as good as I had hoped. It was set in Ireland at the beginning of 1900s. A mother kills her daughter in the name of discipline. Hard to feel compassion for that.

Lost & Found. This book was VERY enjoyable and quite a surprise. A solid 4 1/2 stars. I had left the book behind for many months since I stear away from sad animal stories. But this book stole my heart. The writing wasn't super professional but it was certainly good enough for me.

The last 1 was the most disappointing:
The Apothecary's Daughter. I had enjoyed another book by this author -- The Girl in the Gatehouse which was very good. This one was not in the same neighborhood. Only 1 1/2 to 2 stars.

Lori wrote: "I read 3 books in June.

Lost & Found. This book was VERY enjoyable and quite a surprise. A solid 4 1/2 stars. I had left the book behind for many months since I stear away from sad animal stories. But this book stole my heart. The writing wasn't super professional but it was certainly good enough for me.
----------------

Thanks for sharing, Lori ! I love the cover of Lost and Found ! I see that it is the first book is a series.

It looks like a tear jerker, but, I, too, love animal stories. I've added it to my list.

Wow! I read 8 last month. (have to admit some where short)

Lucid
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
Vampire Vacation
Room 118
The Lords Of Discipline
The Night Circus
Dead Reckoning
and
'The dead live longer'

Eight, that's very good ! Did you read them all on your Kindle or in paper?

Thanks for sharing your June list with us.

Madrano wrote: "NOTE: The GR link misspelled the title "character", if you will. It's archAea, which is one of the 3 classifications of life..."

I fixed it. :-)

Last month I read:

Great Expectations - 4 stars
My first Dickens, but not my last

Someone Knows My Name - 5 stars
I loved this historical fiction book about a woman's life who was captured into slavery from Africa when she was 11 and taken to america before the revolutionary war. I thought it was an emotional and powerful book...and a good story too.

Julie, my favorite Dickens is A Tale of Two Cities. I think if one reads it with online notes it helps a lot. I do this often with older classics.

You can get ATOTC for free from Amazon for the Kindle.

As for Dickens movies, I enjoyed a lot Oliver Twist

I read Great Expectations for free on my ipod. :-)
All 2380 of those tiny little ipod pages...hehe

Alias Reader wrote: "Eight, that's very good ! Did you read them all on your Kindle or in paper?

Thanks for sharing your June list with us."

All kindle, since I got it do everything on Kindle. Don't have to spend my Sat morns at the library, found the e-book site on the local library and I download everything.

Julie, I also really liked Someone Knows My Name. It has gone down as one of my favourites.

I read some great books in June;

Homer & LangleyF Based loosely on facts, this is the thoughts of one of two brothers, one blind and the other war-damaged, who lived in a crumbling mansion in NY city to the intrigue of the outside world. 4 stars.

Dirt Music F Three characters all carrying emotional baggage make up this story of grief, love and living in fantastic settings in coastal Western Australia. Essential Australian reading. 4 stars.

Panama by Bill Boyd. F The experiences surrounding the building and negotiations of the Panama Canal project from the pov of a fictitious American diplomat. Interesting facts throughout. I knew nothing of this subject previously. 4 stars.

'You'll Never Take Me Alive': The Life And Death Of Bushranger Ben Hall F Bushranger Ben Hall's story of dashing here and there across rural New South Wales. Based strongly on facts. A great read. I seem to be fascinated by bushrangers?? 5 stars.

Summer At Mount Hope F The story of a young woman growing up in rural Victoria during the drought and depression of the 1890s, and her quest to retain freedom despite the expectations of family and society of the time. 5 stars.

All Quiet on the Western Front F Graphic and moving; a must read. 4 stars.

Handpicked F Tale of Malaysian mailorder bride's start in Australia when things don't go as well as she expected. Contemporary and relevant. 3 stars.

Julie wrote: "Madrano wrote: "NOTE: The GR link misspelled the title "character", if you will. It's archAea, which is one of the 3 classifications of life..."

I fixed it. :-)"

Thanks, Julie. It's understandable, as not many people are even familiar with the word.

Julie wrote: "I read Great Expectations for free on my ipod. :-)
All 2380 of those tiny little ipod pages...hehe"

Oh my gosh, Julie! I don't know that i fully understood that ipods could be read! My eyes are aching just thinking about it!

I'm pleased you liked the Dickens. When i think of all his novels you have yet to read, i'm almost envious. However, then i realize i've saved his longer works for myself. The more the better? Hmm--'taint good English.

deb

Lori wrote: "I read 3 books in June.

The Butterfly Cabinet. The book was not as good as I had hoped. It was set in Ireland at the beginning of 1900s. A mother kills her daughter in the name of discipline. Hard to feel compassion for that...."

No kidding. I haven't heard of it, so appreciate your description. I'll pass.

deb

Jorge wrote: "Wow! I read 8 last month. (have to admit some where short)

Lucid
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
Vampire Vacation..."

Ok, Jorge, what did you think of Abe? Was it worth the time? I'm not a vampire reader, but combining this with Lincoln is quite clever.

deborah

Lesley wrote: "I read some great books in June;

Homer & LangleyF Based loosely on facts, this is the thoughts of one of two brothers, one blind and the other war-damaged, who lived in a crumbling mansion in NY c..."

Lesley, it looks as though you had a good month. The above is the one which interests me. I think Alias first brought the title to my attention. Thanks for sharing.

deb

Madrano wrote: "Oh my gosh, Julie! I don't know that i fully understood that ipods could be read! My eyes are aching just thinking about it! ..."

If its an ipod touch you can. Unlike other ipods that pretty much just play music/audio, you can also surf the net, check your email, and download apps....including ibooks. If you make the text large enough, it isn't hard to read, but you have to turn alot of pages!

Lesley wrote: "I read some great books in June;

Homer & LangleyF Based loosely on facts, this is the thoughts of one of two brothers, one blind and the other war-damaged, who lived in a crumbling mansion in NY c..."

I bought Homer & Langly at a Borders going out of business sale, but haven't read it yet.

Madrano wrote: "Jorge wrote: "Wow! I read 8 last month. (have to admit some where short)

Lucid
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
Vampire Vacation..."

Ok, Jorge, what did you think of Abe? Was it worth the time?..."

I loved the book. It was great the way the author intertwined the events of the time and Lincoln's life with the story. The book also includes some doctored photos to add to the story which were really well done. I thought it was good, not too much over the edge, just enough to make it believable. Vampires were what they should be (in my opinion) no sparkles and no unrequited love issues. Concentrates mostly on Abe's life and his struggles with the vampires.

I have Lost and Found in my stack, I guess I should start digging and find it. I am currently reading Fannie Flagg's, Welcome to the World Baby Girl. I found the 1st parat of it confusing, but am now about 1/2 way thru and am really liking it.

I don't believe I listed my books read in May, so I'll do both May and June now (not that many, after all):

The Coroner's Lunch--Interesting story about a 72-year-old doctor in Laos, in 1976, after the revolution, who has been assigned as the nation's coroner, although he has no experience in this area. But the people must work as long as they are able. He is clever, curious, a good doctor, and, by the way, finds he can communicate with spirits. He also has a dry wit and some intriguing friends. This is the first in a series, and I would like to read more. 4*

Cold Comfort Farm --I enjoyed this parody of the melodramatic novels of the 20s and 30s. Flora Poste was the perfect heroine--she solved all the problems at the farm. The names were a hoot: cows--Graceless, Pointless, Feckless, and Aimless. Horses--Travail, Arsenic, Viper. People--Urk, Caraway, Hardaway, etc. A funny novel. I'll have to be on the lookout for the film; I've never watched it. 4*

House Rules--#3 in the Joe DeMarco series. Joe is not a warrior or a super-hero type,but he usually manages to fix things (for the Speaker of the House) by using his brains, and some good connections. 4*

Half Broke Horses --Very good. Story of the author's grandmother, in novel form but based on fact. Think I liked this better than THE GLASS CASTLE. 4*

Sentinel, by Matthew Dunn.-- This was an ARC, sent to me for review by Bookbrowse.com. It is the second in the Spycatcher series. A little hard to follow at times with all the Russian names and acronyms, but I liked it, it was a gripping spy story featuring one of those super-agents. Not the best, but I plan to read the first book in the series. 3*

Hundred-Dollar Baby--I was happy to find this Spenser novel on my shelf, I had forgotten it was there. Love Spenser. 4*