one book leads to another
In which AI becomes all too real. What do you do when you read a near-perfect book (Conclave)? You find out what else the guy wrote, that's what you do. Robert Harris has many historical fiction novels in his substantial body of work, but it was his 2011 The Fear Index that caught my eye. … Continue reading The Fear Index
Good Catholic fun Are you as big a fan of movies as you are of books? Me too, although I haven't been to the theater in a while. I'd rather watch in the comfort of my own home, thank you very much. Conclave (the movie) caught my eye because 1) I adore Ralph Fiennes and … Continue reading Conclave
So. Many. Great. Books. SIMPLY THE BEST 1) It Can't Happen Here by Sinclair Lewis (1935) 2) The Latecomer by Jean Hanff Korelitz (2022) 3) William by Mason Coile (aka Andrew Pyper) (2024) Sadly, Andrew Pyper died two days ago on January 3rd, 2025; he was just 56 years old. He's been a favorite of … Continue reading The best books I read in 2024
On love, intrigue, deception and manipulation My February 2024 review of The Helsinki Affair by Anna Pitoniak is one of the most popular on my blog. Here's how I summed it up: I finished The Helsinki Affair and immediately put Pitoniak's Our American Friend on hold ("fantastic fun and spectacular" per the blurbs on the … Continue reading Our American Friend
sex, drugs & rock 'n roll The Shards is a meta-masterpiece by Bret Easton Ellis. The main character is himself, Bret, a young cinephile, avid reader and budding author, navigating life in Los Angeles before and during his senior year of high school - just like he did in real life. It's inventive and initially … Continue reading The Shards
A charming storybook that's a coloring book too! Hippo is a children's book by Robert Raphael, and it's guaranteed to engage children and grown-ups alike. It's a delight! The cover is colorful but the pages inside are black and white which makes them perfect for coloring! The lack of color doesn't distract from the pictures … Continue reading Hippo
There's room for both. I recently found myself reading two mystery novels at once, both by prolific, well-known and well-liked authors. One is a favorite, I think I've read all of his 30+ books. I've only read one by the other author. The Waiting by Michael Connelly is a tight, gripping, precisely paced thriller. The … Continue reading Keep ’em coming vs. not for me
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