Jim

I rate 5 of 5 stars to the Audible audio book "A Perfect Blood (Rachael Morgan #10)" by Kim Harrison. What can I say? I've enjoyed books 1 to 9 and enjoyed book 10. Another great installment in the series. This book furthers the main character-lines and has a well focused main story line. I rate this book as stronger than book 9; I liked the crisp story line with few tangents. If you liked the earlier books, you will enjoy this book.

I rate the book Ever After by Kim Harrison 5 of 5 stars. This is book #11 of the Hollows Series and I suggest this is the best book of the 11. A very solid story that well leverages the world created in the previous 10 books (yes, I have read all 10 in order). Of course, to properly enjoy this complex story you should read the previous books. If you are a Rachel Morgan fan (The Hollows), this is a must read.

I rate Moonlit Mind: A Tale of Suspense by Dean Koontz 5 of 5 stars. This short story is based on the novel 77 Shadow Street showing a different view of the events in that book. This story was short, strange (in a good way) and quickly built into a real suspense story. If you have read 77 Shadow Street then I can recommend this short story.

I rate the Audible novel Odd Interlude: A Special Odd Thomas Adventure by Dean Koontz 5 of 5 stars. This 1/2 book is set in time just before Odd Apocalypse and for flow I suggest you read them in that order. The story follows our fry-cook hero Odd Thomas who is drawn into life and death situations. This story is specially interesting and not predictable. For a quick read, I highly recommend this book.

I rate the Audible version of the novel Micro by Michael Crichton 4 of 5 stars. The only reason for not giving five stars is that the plot seemed like a rerun. Think of this book as TV's the Land of the Giant's meets the movie Fantastic Voyage meets the movie Honey I Shrunk the Kids. While interest, it was hard to suspend the belief in the ability to shrink people and equipment. While it was a solid suspense novel, I'll give it a mild recommendation.

I rate the Audible book The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins 4 of 5 stars. Having first watched the movie, I was left with many gaps and questions and hence decided to listen to the unabridged audio book which successfully filled in the gaps. The movie gave me the visualizations while the book gave the thoughts, motivations and details lacking in the movie. Frankly, I enjoyed the book enough to plan reading the second in the series before the movie is released. Yes, I do recommend this book.

I rate Darkness Under the Sun 5 of 5 stars. A short story but every bit a Koontz story. I can summarize this book in one word: CREEPY. Highly recommended for a quick read.

I rate the Audible novel Odd Apocalypse (Odd Thomas, #5) by Dean Koontz 5 of 5 stars. This is the fifth installment in the Odd Thomas saga (yes, his name is really Odd Thomas; or Oddy for short). Oddy is a simple Fry Cook (un-employed) that has powers and is drawn into events for which his powers are helpful. This is the most complex story in the series (so far) and also my favorite in the series. As the story unfolds, alot of un-expected relationships form and un-explained situations happen (was that Telsa (the scientist not the car) who just walked thru the house?). Very well told story that nicely builds to the finale. I am a huge fan of Koontz and specially enjoy the Odd Thomas series. Highly recommended reading if and only if you have read the first four parts.

4 Stars for the Audible book Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson. For this review, I am having trouble rating the quality of the book vs the contents of the book. As a biography, I'd give the book a 5 star; it is really well done. For the contents (i.e. Steve Jobs), I'd give it a 3 rating; I was not a fan of Jobs nor Apple before reading this book and I am still not a fan. For the book, it is clear that Isaacson had in-depth access to Jobs and everyone associated with him thru his career. The book shows that alot of research and data gathering was performed. The book did a great job of following the timeline while providing color and texture to the man. I have been working in the silicon valley since 1980 and this book tied together alot of factoids, news items, rumors and historical tidbits that I had been aware of but not in a larger context. I am mixed in my opinion on recommending this book; so I will withhold giving it a "recommended reading".

I rate 5 of 5 stars to the Audible audio book "Into the Plex" by Steven Levy. The book is a historical look at Google. Levy spent a considerable amount of time on the inside of Google gathering history, legend, lore and tales from the start of Google to the completion of the book. I work in the Silicon Valley and have been keenly aware of Google, but, like most, I'd hear news stories that sounded pretty odd (hence making the news) and not really having a big picture of what they were doing. The news casts give us a few "trees", this book provided the "forest" context for the news-worthy events. This story filled alot of voids in my knowledge of Google. If you are into technology, this book is recommended and very interesting!