May 15, 2008
The Brass Verdict by Michael Connelly
Release Date: October 14, 2008 (pre-order
here)
The Brass Verdict is one of the very best books I have read in the last few years , bar none. The premise is simple yet very intricately woven throughout its easily read pages. The main character, a well loved character from several other novels, inherits a law practice and a big big time case from a murdered lawyer. The novel follows the main character as he masterfully defends all his new clients, balances his personal life, ex wives, little daughter, rehab, and a detective that is trying to keep him alive for several professional and personal reasons.
I will not give too much away in that it will ruin the suspense and the very unpredictable ending. The author has written around 20 novels all in this genre and over the years has developed the characters as well as any author I have come across, even better than my favorite author, Tom Clancy. I have already ordered the Lincoln Lawyer, the book before the brass Verdict because I am so involved with the characters this author has developed for my reading enjoyment.
The Brass Verdict is all about story telling on the harsh streets of LA, there are no punches pulled and you will get a dose of reality, violence and a touch of humor in the pages as they unfold before you. I am now a fan of Mr. Connelly and the novels he writes are now going to be permanently on my reading list.
Filed under attorney, best seller, detective, historical fiction, las vegas, law, lawyer, los angeles, mystery, novel, suspense
May 15, 2008
Never On These Shores by Stephen R. Pastore
Released: June 30, 2007
Imagine the horror, the humiliation, and the disgrace of being an American in 1942 if our shores were invaded and occupied by the German Nazis, the Italians and the Japanese…No need to imagine, just read this book and be thankful it is just alternative historical fiction. This novel is just the beginning in what I imagine will be a series of books chronicling the hardships of American citizens under the pressure and in some cases the rule of foreign occupiers. The characters are very real but do not fall in love with any of them for much like war their lives and ultimate deaths are brutal and horrific.
The author writes about homosexuality, rape, mass extermination, mutilation, and any other form of death one can imagine. The reality of this novel is that if the German Nazis were to occupy Texas they would gas the African Americans, homosexuals, and the Jews, with the help of the KKK. The author does take several literary liberties in that he presumes that there would be little resistance by Americans and that the greatest generation of our time would surrender and even make back room deals with the the Nazis or the Japanese.
One must suspend historical pride if there is any hope of buying into this novel, I for one found the first 200 pages hard to read because I was just so mad at the premise and the liberties taken by the author.
Never on These Shores takes awhile to ramp up but once you get over the pure disgust at what the author is trying to sell the book actually opens up and reads very nicely, I look forward to the next installment.
May 15, 2008
Double or Nothing by Tom Breitling and Cal Fussman
Imagine building an Internet business during the dotcom boom/bust and selling it to Microsoft for millions. Now imagine buying the famous Golden Nugget casino in Las Vegas and selling it in less than a year and half for hundreds of millions. Now imagine you are barely in your 30s and you are doing all this with your very best friend. This is the story of one of Las Vegas’ most dynamic duos, two young guys from different backgrounds coming together to own the world.
The Book tells the story in autobiographical form of Tom, a simple hard working boy from Minnesota, and his friendship with Tim, a local Vegas boy who has gambling in his blood. The two formed a bond that has lasted throughout the last 20 years and will be around till one of them passes on to the big casino in the sky. The pages of the book offer the reader an insight to a world that most of us will never be in: a world of fast cars, movie stars, corporate jets and millions of dollars wrapped in cellophane being bet on one roll of the dice.
I enjoyed this book and I would have loved to have been a part of the world written in this book. The authors tell this story at about an 8th grade reading level which allows the book to be finished in a few hours. The book is not just about Vegas, it is about a time in financial history that was exciting and may never be duplicated, I hope you enjoy this book.
May 15, 2008
Double or Nothing by Tom Breitling and Cal Fussman
Imagine building an Internet business during the dotcom boom/bust and selling it to Microsoft for millions. Now imagine buying the famous Golden Nugget casino in Las Vegas and selling it in less than a year and half for hundreds of millions. Now imagine you are barely in your 30s and you are doing all this with your very best friend. This is the story of one of Las Vegas’ most dynamic duos, two young guys from different backgrounds coming together to own the world.
The Book tells the story in autobiographical form of Tom, a simple hard working boy from Minnesota, and his friendship with Tim, a local Vegas boy who has gambling in his blood. The two formed a bond that has lasted throughout the last 20 years and will be around till one of them passes on to the big casino in the sky. The pages of the book offer the reader an insight to a world that most of us will never be in: a world of fast cars, movie stars, corporate jets and millions of dollars wrapped in cellophane being bet on one roll of the dice.
I enjoyed this book and I would have loved to have been a part of the world written in this book. The authors tell this story at about an 8th grade reading level which allows the book to be finished in a few hours. The book is not just about Vegas, it is about a time in financial history that was exciting and may never be duplicated, I hope you enjoy this book.
May 13, 2008
Warning: some spoilers, but certainly not giving away the ending:
The Space Between Us is a beautiful yet depressing novel that realistically captures the everyday relationship between the Indian social classes. Having lived in a similar situation growing up, Thrity Umrigar breathes life into a story lived by untold millions.
In The Space Between Us, Thrity Umrigar weaves a story between the lives of Serabai, a Parsi middle class widow; and Bhima, her domestic servant for several decades. Serabai’s extremely abusive and controlling husband dies suddenly leaving her to finally experience peace and happiness in her family life. In contrast, Bhima’s husband loses three fingers on his hand and is left unemployed and unable to support his family. He turns to alcohol and then leaves her taking her only son with him. Bhima is forced to move to a tin shack in the slums without even running water, electricity, or private bathrooms. Her daughter and son in law die of AIDS in a poorly run underfunded government hospital leaving Bhima to raise her granddaughter.
Serabai lovingly cares for Bhimas granddaughter providing her with an education that is abruptly halted and her life possibly forever changed for the worse.
The Space Between Us goes from bad to worse as tragedy, pain, and hopelessness take over. The really depressing part is that this story is just a snapshot of the real situation taking place in many third world countries as well as India.
I highly recommend this book to book clubs because it is so thought provoking and can lead to some serious conversations and observations. I really look forward to reading additional books by this author. Ms. Umrigar has an unusual ability to breathe her characters to life. Her descriptions are rich, colorful, and full of texture. She does not waste a single word in the entire book.
May 6, 2008
Promise of the Wolves by Dorothy Hearst
“A wonderful tale that captures the spirit of the wolf”
Reviewed by: K. Andrews
Released: June 3, 2008
Having read Clan of the Cave Bear and the subsequent books in the Earth’s Children Series, I was eager to read this book that has been compared to Clan of the Cave Bear. This is the first book in a trilogy Dorothy Hearst is writing called The Wolf Chronicles. It is also her first novel.
In Promise of the Wolves by Dorothy Hearst, Kaala, a young pup is born of outside blood, and to complicate things further, she bears the mark of the moon. She struggles with her desire to gain pack approval, while dealing with her strong calling to be with and protect humans. Dorothy Hearst captures the voice and spirit of the wolf well throughout hunts, disagreements, fights, and the joy of being a wolf. There are so many fascinating characters in this book. Tlitoo, a raven, interacts with the wolves spouting cheeky poetry in a humorous and wise manner. The Great Wolves Jandra and Frandu mysteriously appear, disappear, protect, and keep secrets from Kaala and the other wolf packs. A spirit wolf magically appears and helps Kaala at her most desperate hours.
What makes this book so interesting and is that it tells the tale of the relationship between wolves and humans 14,000 years ago from the wolf point of view. There have been other books written from the human point of view the feature wolves, but this book is unique. Ms. Hearst has created a distinct work that I’m sure will develop a strong following. It was a joy to read.
I recommend this book to anyone ages 12 and up who is interested in wolves and prehistoric North America. This book would make an incredible Disney movie. If you love wolves, or if you wonder what a Disney movie would be like if wolves were the central character, then I think you will enjoy this book.
May 6, 2008
Yellow Fever by Steffan Piper
“A tale of deceitful love among modern day Generation Y”
Reviewed by: K. Andrews
Released: September 12, 2007
Haven’t we all had that one special relationship that meant everything to us but was doomed from the start? Enter the world of Steffan Piper, a police officer, and his strip club dancing girlfriend. Yellow Fever weaves a tale that leads us through the streets of L.A., behind the doors of a strip club, and secret police investigations. I felt the imagery and character development put forth were vividly portrayed. I would have liked to have seen a more in-depth look at the police side of the book, but ultimately, the is a novel of deceit and love, of which there is plenty.
Unlike stated in the book description above, I don’t think you’ll despise all the characters in the end. Steffan, the police officer and part-time gossip columnist is very likeable, but somewhat naïve out of his own self-preservation. When he finds out the truth at the end, I feel like closure is eminent in his life and he deserved to know the truth.
This modern day writer of the problems that plague gen-x and gen-y has written a novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat wondering what the next move will be in this deceitful game of love. I look forward to more writings by this author.
May 6, 2008
I have read just about every diet book ever written. In fact, I consider myself somewhat of a diet scientist. I can explain in detail why (or why not) many different diet plans work. Despite this, people will fail over and over because something most diet books don’t address is the emotional side of eating.
Each person sets up their story with when their weight battle began, when their moment of inspiration to start Weight Watchers occurred, how they felt at meetings/after meetings/doing ww online, and closes with how the weight change has impacted their life. Tidbits of their obstacles and how they overcame them are interspersed with great advise for anyone wanting to live a healthy life.
Throughout the book people share their insights and wisdoms that helped them to become successful with their weight battle. My favorite was when someone called their food “a bowl of calories”. Wow, it’s hard to look at food the same after you read this book.
I can see this book being used as a wonderful tool to keep dieters and members of weight watchers on track by being able to read a short success story in just a few minutes and knowing that they can do it too. This book is an easy read in 3 evenings, or readers could read an inspirational story or two a day while applying the wisdom gleaned from these weight loss success stories.
