

“Writers create impressions that inspire, stir emotions, evoke questions and sprinkle seeds of awe.”
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“an idea hit him, he sat wherever he was—at his desk, kitchen table, a bar, or behind the wheel of his car—gnawing on his ever-present cigar and scribbling diagrams on napkins or the backs of torn-off bottle labels.”
― The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
― The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

“With the thunderous boom of each firework, Isabela’s heart sank further and further. She loved Papi, and she loved Marco. She could never choose between them.”
― A Delicate Marriage
― A Delicate Marriage
“We’ve got to go to the police,” Alec repeated. He wondered if somebody was actually dead or if the vicar had imagined it. But then there was the bloody cassock.
“Come with me,” Father Joe pleaded. “It’s just down the road in my vestry. And then we can decide what we should do about the police.”
Alec thought he might as well. There might be a story in it if it was something to do with Charlotte de Tournet. Would people remember her disappearance? It was so long ago. But then there was the connection to Baroness Freya Saumures …”
― The Wasp Trap
“Come with me,” Father Joe pleaded. “It’s just down the road in my vestry. And then we can decide what we should do about the police.”
Alec thought he might as well. There might be a story in it if it was something to do with Charlotte de Tournet. Would people remember her disappearance? It was so long ago. But then there was the connection to Baroness Freya Saumures …”
― The Wasp Trap

“Thickly forested regions of Phuoc Tuy including the Rung Sat swamps and farms considered to be controlled by the Vietcong, were regularly sprayed by defoliants including “Agent Orange” using aircraft. This was both an inhumane and unsuccessful strategy which only destroyed enough food to feed 245,000 Vietnamese people for a year resulting in a propaganda gift to the Vietcong. (Ham, 2007). Given that defoliation did not uncover the enemy, who kept on fighting from jungle, caves and tunnels, the whole defoliation programme must be considered a failure. Given also, that birth defects and other health problems associated with defoliants can be directly blamed upon “Agent Orange”, it stands to reason that the allies in the Second Indochina War who sprayed it upon villages and farms can in fact be said to be, “Guilty of War Crimes!”
― A Gracious Enemy
― A Gracious Enemy
Jake’s 2024 Year in Books
Take a look at Jake’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.
Favorite Genres
Crime and Paranormal
Polls voted on by Jake
Lists liked by Jake