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
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
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
airplane disaster fiction / high altitude thriller You guys, this book, it got to me. I teared up at the end, a combination of anxiety, relief and sadness. Wasn't expecting it but I welcome the feels. That's what I want from a book, not just a great story and great writing, but to be moved … Continue reading Worst Case Scenario
Sinclair Lewis blew me away with It Can't Happen Here. He wrote this spookily modern novel almost 100 years ago and not to be dramatic, but oh how I wish it weren't so relevant. Lewis is my kind of author: smart, witty, observant and incisive. He's a legend - the man won a Pulitzer AND … Continue reading It Can’t Happen Here
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