Corinne

John Grisham is a skilled writer, of course. But, in my opinion, it is his story telling qualities that make him shine. I can't say too much with such an elaborate story gripping your reading (or listening). This is a story, a yarn, with all the elements sliding in and the descriptive tension appropriate for a classic. Long live the story and long live John Grisham.

I won't belabor you with how my life is out of control, but I do have coping skills. One of those skills is listening to books so that I won't dwell on aspects of my life I can't change. I either select something with a deep plot and very complicated to keep me focused or something very funny. Insane City by Dave Berry is a great candidate for the latter.

As usual, his books take a a normal situation (in this case a wedding, great fodder for character interaction) and cause the character to interact with bizarre situations or characters. First one thing happens, then another thing happens that impacts the first thing - you get the picture. Mayhem ensues, but oh, such funny mayhem. The play between the characters also make the story. Each character is someone you recognize from your own life (the normal one's at least). Many times as a reader you cheer because the normal one shed's his boring coat and reaches out to be wild and crazy. Sometimes that backfires, of course, which adds more mayhem.

I am glad too to read Barry's book because there is not some big overall message. His friend, Carl Hiassen, also writes hilarious books but saving the owls or some such cause is always championed. This is just good old fun. Keep them coming Mr. Barry. We all need to laugh to keep from crying.

I will be frank. I picked this because the title intrigued me. I looked up a review and I thought I would give it a whirl. I enjoy books translated as they are a different cadence and change order slightly differently from books I normally read.

I will not spoil the story for anyone, but the characters are intricately woven into a believable narrative that enhances the characters. Deception is a constant companion for many characters and the reader is taken all over the place to try to figure out the complex nature of the story. If you like them bloody and complicated, this is the story for you. The characters are also a nice mix of older and younger people so it is not lopsided.

I will look for this author again. I did find a few strings that weren't tied up in the story. If I had the book before me I could look up certain sections to straighten things out in my mind but not so with a long listen.

When I ordered Guilt I looked at the review promanently displayed on the page with the synopsis of the story. I have read all of the Alex Delaware books and was so skepical of reading (listening) to this one when the reviewer said it was the last Alex Delaware she would read. I know the subject matter was delicate but I thought this was one of the bext of J. Kellerman's works.

All my favorite characters were there and acting appropriately (true to character). The stroy was a fascinating one and quite convoluted which adds to the mystery. John Rubinstein is a great reader as Alex and Milo and I have trouble identifying with him in some of the TV dramas where I see him as he is still my Alex.

Dissappointments - yes, one major one. I don't want to give it away to readers so I must say the quilty party was not a well developed character. Usually the detectives or someone has more contact with this person in order for the character to be deceptive and the truth revealed. Not so here and It made a hole in the story for me.

I have read several books by Mr. Rollins. I had heard of Sigma and thought I should start at the beginning with the first in the series. I found the book lacking in something. I could enjoy as much as his others. I can't quite put my finger on it. I believe it was about character flaws. Everybody except Painter needed some psychoanalysis or at the very least some counseling. This doesn't mean I will skip over Rollins or his books in the future, but I probably will stick to the ones without Sigma.

The entry into the system is most typical and very good. That being said, I had enough of Morelli and Ranger but it needed a little more Lula. My favorite of the series involved the Gordo, and I know it can't be brought back so add a little more Lula to help me not miss it so much. Long live Vincent Plum Bail Bonds.

Had to read it - everybody else had. Enjoyed it because it was so different. A new idea was difinitely explored. Many ideas of the universe and comparative religions expressed here but not in a heavy way. Family and animals habits were contrasted too. I really liked it but loving it was not quite possible. The reader and literary talents were excellent.

Cruising the TV one night I saw Cloud Atlas advertised. Tom Hanks was in it and I rarely miss a Tom Hanks movie. I decided to read the book first. Unfortunately, the movie was on at theaters at least 2 seconds, so evidently not a critical success.
I approached the book with trepidation as Scott Brick was one of the readers and he is the worst reader ever (everything is so dramatic you can't try to figure out what is important.) Anyhow the point of the story is a connection over generations of people who have a certain birth mark. The idea was a good one but the stories are so heavy and long that you want to scream,"So connect the dots,okay!"
I will probably rent the movie but I hope it is not a sleep aid.

This book continues the fabulous seies of Harry Basch. I enjoyed it (even the change in reader) but a major problem stands out. Number one, this woman Harry is dating, who is pivotal to the story, is not his type. I do not feel comfortable with this relationship - it is phony.
Good stuff is his relationship with his daughter - real, complicated and she is not the typical teenager. Harry would not have the typical teenager. I wouldn't start the serries here but it is a great listen if you know the series.

Jesse Stone is, indeed, flawed. I still love him - his dialog, his manner, his swagger. The story was the typical mystery but covered with the familiar characters makes the book seem like a family story. I would love to have Jesse as a neighbor...