James

Michael "Mouse" Tolliver has always been the voice of reason in AM's The Tales of the City, but he comes to full maturity in this latest effort: Michael Tolliver Lives. Michael, once unabashedly youthful, has slipped into upper middle age with all the vigor and wit we'd expect. He lives comfortably with his much younger lover in the shadow of 28 Barberry Lane in what could be described as a "new" life, but the past is unalterably present.

This novel shakes him and things up when he's forced to choose between his logical and biological family. In doing so, Michael and the reader come to realize the heart has room to hold dearly more than we had ever thought.

There is sadness in Michael Tolliver Lives, as well as sweetness and sentiment and beautiful prose. With the wisdom that comes from experience, AM provides a resolution that makes for powerful insight into the human condition.

I loved this book and all it represents. Read it and and weep (or maybe smile!).

Despite a predictable outcome, this novel really appealed to the voyeur in me. The author has a way with words and the narrator has a way with hysteria. I know, 5 stars seems a tad excessive, but I really enjoyed this listening experience. There are not many books to be enjoyed while scrubbing the bathtub.

Too bad, but this compelling story is ruined by an unfocused author. I would love to read the real book buried somewhere inside the repetitious claptrap. Still, Scott Brick makes the most of this unfortunate situation.

Hey, Marc Acito didn't write the most insightful novel about alienated youth attempting to make peace with the big bad world. He leaves that to more prolific scholars. What he did write was a hilarious look at a group of people, young and old, who live life to the extremes. None of the youth in this novel will die wishing they had gone for the heights with more gusto. And, oddly, I was moved by the genuine pathos between children and their parents. The protagonist, Eddie, in the course of ten hours of listening, grew from a silly twit of a lad to an adult with much to offer and high hopes for the future. I loved this comedic take on coming of age and recommend it highly.

I bought Marker because I really really want Robin Cook to write another winner. Coma is one of my all time favorite in the thriller genre. Alas, however, Marker isn't Coma - unless you consider that's the state of consciousness to which it renders the reader.

Cook can still come up with a passably credible plot, but he can't write believeable dialogue. Someone's got to tell him (editor, pay attention here) that all characters don't talk in the same idioms and same speech patterns. I sit (stand, walk, run, ride) appalled at his immature attempt at dialogue.

But I won't give up on him! I won't ... I won't ... I won't! However, I think I'll borrow his next from the library and save my $'s for a sure thing audible.com dowload.

Don't get me wrong. I enjoyed the book Joe Eszterhas buried inside all the hyperbole. But I guess we shouldn't consider it strange that a writer is so in love with his words that he refuses to give way to an editor. Eszterhas has led an exciting and provocative life, both in Cleveland and in his dreaded Southern California, he's met many talented Hollywood denizens, he's written some of the best and worst screenplays ever to make it to the silver screen. It's just too bad one had to slug through all the repetitious crapola to get to the good stuff.

Still, Scott Brick is so wonderful as the narrator, it almost made it all worthwhile.

Preposterous story line, but first-rate characters. Jane Stanton Hitchcock has the gift of perception. She spins outlandish tales, but the deepest, most real people inhabit these storylines. As in Social Crimes, Ms. Hitchcock weaves a complex and mesmerizing look at deceit and intrigue in the land of the rich and privileged. I wish there were more of her books to add to my queue.