some good books

Thoroughly enjoyed Rowling's new mystery, and did not expect to at all because the Harry Potter books are tedious and I never finished one of them. But this book is good. The Cuckoo's Calling, 2013. I liked the two main characters, thought the plot was pretty good. I hope she writes some more about the same characters.

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce, 2013 was good too. Great story, Harold goes on a quest and finds his life. He is a retired sales representative receives a letter from an old friend, Queenie, who informs him that she's dying from cancer. Harold scribbles a polite reply and heads to the mailbox at the end of the road and keeps going, for 600 km until he gets there, facing all the things that really happened in his life en route.


Unleashed by David Rosenfelt, 2013 was very mediocre. Kept listening to it becuase it was not too long, it's only saving grace. Maybe it was the reader but it was not a good book at all.


The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers, 2013 is a great book. A very good writer, a war book, but worth the read. The Iraq war, he writes about Al Tafar located in the province of Nineveh in northwest Iraq where the men will do most of their fighting. This man can write.

The heart of the matter by Graham Greene, not sure when he wrote it. Another man who can write. Very perceptive observations of people - and relationships. Interesting book, I like it.


seating arrangments by Maggie Shipstead, 2013, is the name of a book i did not like at all and gave up before I got half way. Was not interested in a single character or the story.

Connie Willis' To Say Nothing of the Dog, did not finish either. she needs an editor, way too wordy and long, her books are, for me. Entertaining and likeable characters flitting about in time, but way too long.