Resurrection Walk by Michael Connelly

 Title: Resurrection Walk

Author: Michael Connelly
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 12/21/2023
When was the book published: 2023
Main Characters: Mickey Haller, Harry Bosch, Lucinda Sanz, Judge Cuelho (Your Honor), Hayden Morris, DA, Stephanie Sanger, former co-cop w Dennis Sanz
What happens? Bosch is working w Haller, trying Innocence Project style cases.  He finds Lucinda's request in the letters, and they go to help her.
How long was this? 403 pages
Did I like this?  Really good.  50% Bosch, and 50% haller.  Bosch is getting old and sick, and turning into a defense-side detective.

Overall grade: A-

The Last Hostage by John J. Nance

 Title: The Last Hostage

Author: John J. Nance
Did I listen or read?: kindle from library
When did I finish?: 12/15/2023
When was the book published: 1998
Main Characters: Kat Bronsky, FBI, Ken Wolfe, airline pilot, Rudolph Bostich, candidate for attorney general
What happens? Bostich is on the plan that Ken Wolfe is flying.  Bronsky is called in when the plane is taken over....by???  
How long was this? 516 pages
Did I like this? Pretty good, a bit long.  Will try more Nance/Bronsky
Overall grade: B+

The Running Grave by Robert Galbraith

 Title: The Running Game

Author: Robert Galbraith
Did I listen or read?: library large print
When did I finish?: 12/15/2023
When was the book published: 2023
Main Characters: Cormoran Strike, Robin Ellacott, Pat the office manager, Midge and Shah are contractors.  Jonathan and Mazu Wace run the United H Church.  Lord and Lady Elsinore, their son Will.
What happens? Elsinore hires Strike to get his son out of the cult.  Robin goes undercover.
How long was this? 1370 pages Large Print 960 pages regular book
Did I like this? Excellent story.  Really long, but fast moving, exciting.  
Overall grade: A-

The Secret by Lee Child and Andrew Child

Title:  The Secret
Author: Lee Child and Andrew Child
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: Dec 3, 2023
When was the book published: 2023
Main Characters: Reacher, a buncha scientists, two Israeli female revenge getters (Bobbi and Ronni.)
What happens? Reacher is an MP in 1992.  Someone is killing scientists from a chemical project in India in 1969, and the Attorney General is monitoring the progress.
How long was this? 294 pages
Did I like this? OK, just routine Reacher stuff.  Not particulary engrossing, but a decent story.  Not a lot of Reacher power.
Overall grade: B

 

Lightning Strike by William Kent Krueger

 Title: Lightning Strike

Author: William Kent Krueger
Did I listen or read?: libby audio book
When did I finish?: 11/22/2023
When was the book published: 2021
Main Characters: Liam O'connor, sheriff, Cork O'Connor, 12 year old son.  
What happens?  Johnny Big Deeds is found hanging from a tree near Moose Lake.  A young lady is reported missing.  Cork investigates with his friends, while Dad targets a local not-nice business dude.
How long was this? 385 pages
Did I like this? Very well done.  Want to pick up the Cork O series with book 1 (this was book zero.)
Overall grade: B+

The Collector by Daniel Silva

 Title: The Collector

Author: Daniel Silva
Did I listen or read?: library Kindle Libby
When did I finish?: 11/22/2023
When was the book published: 2023
Main Characters: Gabriel Allon, lady thief, Marcus the Danish bank CEO, Ferrari (Italian cop), Petrov (russian right hand to Putin)
What happens? Allon is asked to find a missing painting after a theft, then murder.  He winds up in a plot by Russia to fake a nuclear attack by the Ukraine, and then initiate one on Kyiv.
How long was this? 414 pages
Did I like this? Very good Gabriel Allon
Overall grade: B+

The Winners by Fredrik Backman

 Title: The Winners

Author: Fredrik Backman
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: November 14, 2023
When was the book published: 2022
Main Characters: Maya, her parents Kira the lawyer and Peter the former head of Beartown hockey, Benji, who left town after coming out of the closet, Hed fireman Johnny and wife Hannah and daughter Tess, and sons Tobias, Ted and Ture.  Lev, head criminal.  Taume who leads the "pack" of leather coated young man
What happens? Lots of violence, death, and hatred as Beartown and Hed, neighboring hockey towns in the Swedish forest, go about life.
How long was this? 675 pages
Did I like this? Waaaaay too long, the stories engaging but the time it takes to tell and the depressing foreshadowing....
Overall grade: B=

The Good Son by Jacquelyn Mitchard

 Title: The Good Son

Author: Jacquelyn Mitchard
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: November 2, 2023
When was the book published: 2022
Main Characters: Thea, mother of Stefan, wife of Step.  Jill, mother of Belinda. Esme
What happens?  Thea is in jail for killing Belinda in a drug stupor, with a golf club.  The first part of the story is the family and his leaving prison.  The second part is "what really happened that night?"
How long was this? 342 pages
Did I like this? It was quite good.  Very human, challenging.  Plot twists and action.  Passing to Wendy....will she be bored?
Overall grade: A-

The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz

 Title: The Word is Murder

Author: Anthony Horowitz
Did I listen or read?: libby audiobook
When did I finish?: October 31, 2023
When was the book published: 2017
Main Characters: Anthony Horowitz, Hawthorne, Diana Cowper, actor son, family of the boys killed and injured by Diana 10 yrs ago
What happens? Diana goes to a mortician and plans her funeral.  6 hours later, she is dead.  Hawthorne convinces Horowitz to accompany him and write a real-crime story.
How long was this? 400 pages
Did I like this?  It was actually quite good.  Lots of plot twists and side roads, but easy to follow and believable
Overall grade: B+

Homecoming by Kate Morton

 Title: Homecoming

Author: Kate Morton
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 10/26/2023
When was the book published: April 2023
Main Characters: Nora, grandma, Polly, mother, Jess, granddaugher, journalist, Thomas and Isabelle Turner and children
What happens?  1959, Turner Family tragedy at Halcyon, 2018, Nora (who raised Jess) is facing declining health and Jess wants to unravel the mystery of what happened, as documented in the (fictional) book by Daniel Miller.
How long was this? 526 pages
Did I like this? It was OK, it went for way too long.  The plot twists at the end were reasonably twisty.  But it took forever to get there.  The portrayal of the leading ladies (daughter/mother/grandmother) was quite strong.
Overall grade: B+

Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley

 Title: Firekeeper's Daughter

Author: Angeline Boulley
Did I listen or read?: libby audio return from Yellowstone and Napa 70th bday drive
When did I finish?: 10/22/23
When was the book published: 2021
Main Characters: Daunis, high school grad heading to med school, Auntie Thea, Uncle David, late father, brother Levi, best friend Lexi, former boyfriend cop TJ
What happens? Daunis gets involved with what's wrong in her community when her uncle dies from a drug overdose, and her best friend is in danger from Travis, her boyfriend
How long was this? 496 pages
Did I like this?  Really good story, lots of background on Indian culture and life that felt very real.  Stretched and stretched out.
Overall grade: B+

Joe Country by Mick Herron

 Title: Joe Country

Author: Mick Herron
Did I listen or read?: libby kindle
When did I finish?: October 19, 2023
When was the book published: 2019
Main Characters: cast from Slow Horses, Lamb, Louisa, Derrick Ho, Catherine, River
What happens?  River's father re-appears, Min (killed previously) son stumbles into trouble, contract put out on him, Louisa tries to save with Emma Flyte's help.
How long was this? 361 pages
Did I like this? Yes, good, esp having seen the tv show
Overall grade: B+

The Boys from Biloxi by John Grisham

 Title: The Boys from Biloxi

Author: John Grisham
Did I listen or read?: Libby Kindle
When did I finish?: October 11, 2023
When was the book published: 2022
Main Characters: Jesse Rudy, Keith Rudy, Lance Malco, Hugh Malco, Nevin something or other
What happens? the story of crime and the Dixie Mafia in Biloxi.  Rudy's are the good guys, Malcos are the crooks.
How long was this? 464 pages
Did I like this? just like a documentary, interesting in parts, not a great book 
Overall grade: B-

Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

 Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

Library book

Sep 12,2023

Lovely story about a bank robber who holes up in an apartment open house and how the people and police come together to help each other

A-

Don't Believe It by Charlie Donlea

 Title: Don't Believe It

Author: Charlie Donlea
Did I listen or read?: libby kindle library
When did I finish?: 10/8/2023
When was the book published: 2018 
Main Characters: Grace Seybold, brother Matthew, Sidney the documentary producer, Gus the copy who lost his leg to cancer, Ellie, Grace's friend
What happens? 10 years ago, Grace is convicted for killing Julian.  Sidney (present day) is making a name for herself doing documentaries about innocent people wrongly accused. She convinces a major network to back a 10 episode series and starts investigating.
How long was this? 379 pages
Did I like this? Pretty good, yeah. Plot and characters good...but the book didn't end.  Like it was book one in a series.  Weird.
Overall grade: B+

Someone We Know by Shari Lapena

 Title: Someone We Know

Author: Shari Lapena
Did I listen or read?: libby audiobook, on the way to Yellowstone
When did I finish?: October 2, 2023
When was the book published: 2019
Main Characters:
What happens? Suburban mystery, hot young wife having affairs around the neighborhood, who killed her? Teenage boy breaking into houses and snooping for kicks helps reveal the killer
How long was this? 292 pages
Did I like this? ok.  Repetitive, clearly defined characters, late and not well planned plot twist
Overall grade: B

Daughter of the Morning Star by Craig Johnson

Title: Daughter of the Morning Star
Author: Craig Johnson
Did I listen or read?: libby audio
When did I finish?: Sept 28, 2023
When was the book published: 2021
Main Characters: Longmire, Henry, Vic, Jaya and missing sister, Jenna - basketball players
What happens? Jenny is missing a year.  Jaya starts getting threatening notes, and Rez sheriff LoLo Long wants him to help figure out what's up.
How long was this? 336 pages
Did I like this? Very hard to follow the plot via audiobook.  Couldn't track the characters and who he was with
Overall grade: B-

Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocumb

 Title: Symphony of Secrets

Author: Brendan Slocumb
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 9/21/2023
When was the book published: 2023
Main Characters: Frederic Delancey, historic musician from the 1920's, Bern, the researcher in modern times, Delancey Foundation, Josephine Rose
What happens? DF hires Bern to finish the RED part of the 5 piece (colors of the Olympic flag) opera.  Back in the 1920s, Fred figures out JoR's musical notations (she sees music in colors and writes in symbols) and becomes rich and famous.
How long was this? 424 pages
Did I like this? It was OK.  The whole premise of inventing a musical composer bigger than Beethoven is hard to swallow.  He built a reasonable story.
Overall grade: B-

Sworn to Silence by Linda Castillo

 Title: Sworn to Silence

Author: Linda Castillo
Did I listen or read?: libby audiobook 
When did I finish?: 9/19/2023
When was the book published: 2029
Main Characters: Kate Burkholder, book 1, John Tomasetti the BCI renegade, her brother Jacob, the Sheriff from the next town over, other cops Skid and Bones or whatever
What happens? A serial killer is stringing up women and carving a number in them.  Brutal murders.  Amish community.  Kate is Amish, but banned.
How long was this? 321 pages
Did I like this? A good story, yes.  Very exciting ending.  VERY gory
Overall grade: B+

The House in the Pines by Ana Reyes

 Title: The House in the Pines

Author: Ana Reyes
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 9/18/2023
When was the book published: 2023
Main Characters: Maya, boyfriend Dan, former best friend Aubrey, bad guy Frank
What happens? Maya is going off to college and meets mysterious man Frank.  Maya is struggling after college, living with Dan but still upset about what happened with Frank years ago.
How long was this? 317 pages
Did I like this? really good story, well-paced, creepy mysterious but an excellent first novel
Overall grade: A-

The Echo Man by Sam Holland

 Title: The Echo Man

Author: Sam Holland
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: Sep 4 2023
When was the book published: 2023
Main Characters: Cara Elliot and Noah Deakin, cops, Cara's brother Nash Griffin, Jessica Ambrose, suburban housewife whose house burns down
What happens? A serial killer is imitating all the great serial killers.
How long was this? 323 pages
Did I like this? Extraordinarily brutal.  A good plot, very bad ending
Overall grade: B-

Someone Knows by Lisa Scottoline

 Title:  Someone Knows

Author: Lisa Scottoline
Did I listen or read?: audio via libby, to/from Santa Barbara Labor Day
When did I finish?: 9/4/2023
When was the book published: 2019
Main Characters: 4 kids, Julian, Sasha, Allie, Mark (Steve?) and new kid Kyle, Kyle's mom Barb, Allie's husband (Jason??)
What happens? 4 teenagers mess around with a gun they found, and play a Russian Roulette prank on Kyle.  Guess what happens
How long was this? 12 hours, 400 pages
Did I like this? Good story, entertaining, believable, stretched out a bit, got ragged at the end with some tying together stuff
Overall grade: B+

Every Man a King by Walter Mosley

 Title: Every Man a King

Author: Walter Mosley
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 8/28/2023
When was the book published: 2023
Main Characters: King Oliver, daughter Aja, billionaire Roger Ferris, King's grandma, alt-right Quiller, Ferris's daughter trying to take over his business
What happens? Ferris hires King to look into why Quiller was arrested and is being held.  
How long was this? 324 pages
Did I like this? A myriad of weird characters with names like Mookie and Methquarth (King's mysterious Hawk-like protector.)  Still no idea who they were.  Can't remember what the connection was between Ferris sand Quiller.  He's a good writer and I like the main character but I could not follow all these characters.
Overall grade: B-

Kindness Goes Unpunished by Craig Johnson

 Title: Kindness Goes Unpunished

Author: Craig Johnson
Did I listen or read?: libby
When did I finish?: August 26, 2023
When was the book published: 2007
Main Characters: Longmire book 3, Vic Moretti, Henry, the Moretti family, Cady
What happens?  Longmire and Henry go to Philly, and Cady gets put into a coma.  drug dealers and corrupt DAs  
How long was this? 288 pages
Did I like this?  good story, lots of Longmire emotions
Overall grade: B+

Every Last Lie by Mary Kubica

 Title: Every Last Lie

Author: Mary Kubica
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 8/20/2023
When was the book published: 2017
Main Characters: Clara, daughter Masie, baby Felix, Nick - killed in a car crash
What happens? Nick dies in a car crash and leaves behind a bunch of secrets
How long was this? 331 pages
Did I like this? Good idea for a plot and torturous way to play it out.  No one can ever tell anyone anything so everything's a secret. SPOLIER -  And she takes a baseball bat to a suspect.
This author is on the NO READ LIST after her 2 hour torture adventure with the teenager kept in the basement for 11 years for NO REASON 
Overall grade: C

Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane

 Title: Small Mercies

Author: Dennis Lehane
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 8/12/2023
When was the book published: 2023
Main Characters: Mary Pat, daughter Jules, Marty Butler who runs Southie, detective Bobby Coynes, Butler's concigliere Frank Toomey, Mary Pat's black coworker Dreamy 
What happens?  Jules disappears at the same time Dreamy's son is found dead under the tracks in the local T station. In the background, racist Southie prepares to battle forced busing
How long was this?  299 pages
Did I like this? Excellent book, painful recreation of South Boston in 1974.
Overall grade: A-

The Lost Man by Jane Harper

 Title: The Lost Man

Author: Jane Harper
Did I listen or read?: libby audiobook
When did I finish?: 8/6/2023
When was the book published: 2018
Main Characters: Nathan, oldest brother, Cameron, dead at Stockman's grave, Bub, the youngest, Ilsa, Cameron's widow, Liz, mother, Carl, long dead father
What happens? Cameron's body is found at Stockman's grave, which he painted in a well-known painting.  The car is found 9 km away.  What happened?  Why?  the secrets of the family are unveiled, set in the Australian outback where homes are 3 hours from each other.
How long was this? 340 pages
Did I like this? A good story, yeah, makes life in the outback come to life
Overall grade: A-

the Blue Hour by T. Jefferson Parker

 Title: The Blue Hour

Author: T. Jefferson Parker
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: August 9, 2023
When was the book published: 1999
Main Characters: Tim Hess, Merci Rayborn, the Purse Snatcher, Marionos Colescau
What happens? Someone is snatchning woman using choloroform, and then mummifying them.  Hess has cancer, but needs the medical coverage and is back on the beat with Merci, who has anger issues and is suing Kemp for sexual harrassment.

How long was this?  359 pages
Did I like this? a page turner, gruesome, good characters and plot
Overall grade: B+

The Elements of Choice by Eric J. Johnson

 Title: The Elements of Choice: Why the Way We Decide Matters

Author: Eric J. Johnson
Did I listen or read?: library book Link+
When did I finish?: August 2, 2023
When was the book published: 2021
Main Characters:  n/a
What happens?  

• Plausible Paths
• Assembled Preferences
• fluency, accuracy,
• Defaults
• How Many Choices
• Order
• Describing

Examples:

• when to take social security (defaults)
• order on a ballot
• 2 wines in a taste test vs 5 (order, number of choices)
• hospice vs invasive care (defaults)
• health care (choice with a calculator)
• restaurant menus
• How many gallons per 100 miles (describing)
• Derren Brown - mind writer - 3 of diamonds

How long was this? 329 pages
Did I like this? pretty good, a bit theoretical, hard to remember the classifications and categories, so i had to write them here
Overall grade: B

The Bullet that Missed by Richard Osman

Title: The Bullet That Missed
Author: Richard Osman
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 7/30/2023
When was the book published: 2022
Main Characters: The Thursday Murder Club, Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron, Ibrahim, Joanne - Joyce's daughter, Bogdan - not sure how he fits in, Jack Mason the former crook boss, Pauline, the makeup lady for the news host, Mike Waghorn, Viktor, ex-KGB
What happens? The Viking wants Elizabeth to kill Viktor or he will kill Joyce.  A buncha other stuff about money laundering and solving the murder of a report that Mike was close to
How long was this? 337 pages
Did I like this? Entertaining, funny, great characters.  Gotta go read bk 1 and bk 2
Overall grade: A-

 

The Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand

 Title: The Five-Star Weekend 

Author: Elin Hilderbrand
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: July 19, 2023
When was the book published: 2023
Main Characters: Hollis and Brooke, Tatum, Dru-Ann.  Gigi is the mystery outsider she's never met
What happens? Hollis's husband dies.  A few months later, she holds a 5 star weekend on Nantucket
How long was this? 327 pages
Did I like this? pretty entertaining
Overall grade: B+

The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz

 Title: The Plot

Author: Jean Hanff Korelitz
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: July 17, 2023
When was the book published: 2021
Main Characters: Jacob Bonner, author, Evan Parker, who has a great plot idea, Anna, Jacob's wife and former podcast producer
What happens? Jacob is teaching at a Vermont writer's workshop, and Evan Parker has a great plot idea.  Evan dies and Jacob uses the plot to write a bestseller
How long was this? 322 pages
Did I like this? It was slow and boring at the beginning, but actually turned into a thriller once enough details were revealed.  Note: Wendy was unable to complete this.
Overall grade: B+

Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner

 Title: Mrs. Everything

Author: Jennifer Weiner 
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: July 10, 2023
When was the book published: 2019
Main Characters: Jo, lesbian older sister, Bethie, younger sister, Sarah, mother, Dave, Jo's husband, Jo's daughters Kim, Missy, Lila. The love of Jo's life, Shelley
What happens? Starts in the 50's with Jo a great athlete in high school, Bethie becomes a party girl.  Follows their life through ups and downs, till cancer gets Jo
How long was this? 464 pages
Did I like this? Really good story, good characters, people who make mistakes, people who grow and change - mostly women
Overall grade: A-

Loyalty by Lisa Scottoline

 Title: Loyalty

Author: Lisa Scottoline
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: July 2, 2023
When was the book published: 2023
Main Characters: Gaetano, lawyer with a good heart, Franco, who starts the mafia, Dante, who is kidnapped at 6 years old, Lucia who is born without pigment
What happens? A historical novel about Sicily around 1810, the rich barons who own the lemon groves and sulfur mines.  Dante is kidnapped and placed in an asylum, Gaetano goes to jail trying to investigate what happened.  Franco and Roberto make their way to the top of the lemon business by any means necessary.
How long was this? 398 pages
Did I like this? Good story, not a page turner, but interesting historical fiction
Overall grade: B

The Last House on the Street by Diane Chamberlain

 Title: The Last House on the Street

Author: Diane Chamberlain
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: June 25, 2023
When was the book published: 2021
Main Characters: Ellie in 1965 w friend Brenda and Garner, Kayla and daughter Raine and father Reed in 2010
What happens? Ellie decides to help SCOPE sign up voters and raises trouble in NC.  Kayla is moving into the house next door to where Ellie grew up, which she and her husband planned and where he died, and the past rears its head.
How long was this? 338 pages
Did I like this? Very good.  Hard to read, like a documentary about change and the Klan in the south
Overall grade: A-

Red Warning by Matthew Quirk

Title: Red Warning
Author: Matthew Quirk
Did I listen or read?: audible purchase
When did I finish?: June 23, 2023
When was the book published: 2022
Main Characters: Sam Hudson, Emily, Konstantin
What happens? Sam is on leave from the CIA and gets in the middle of a plot by (spoiler alert) fringe Russians who want to blow up DC, and have been planning this for 37 years
How long was this?  423 pages
Did I like this? not really interesting, predictable, not fast paced
Overall grade: C

 

Swift Vengeance by T. Jefferson Parker

 Title: Swift Vengeance

Author: T. Jefferson Parker
Did I listen or read?: paperback from Bill's Ojai
When did I finish?: June 19, 2023
When was the book published: 2018
Main Characters: Roland Ford, Lindsay Rakes former drone pilot, Joan Taucher FBI, Roland's irregulars Dick and Liz and Burt and Clevenger
What happens? Someone is coming after drone pilots, and also may be plotting a major act of terrorism
How long was this? 399 pages paperback
Did I like this? Good story, Parker is a good fast paced writer
Overall grade: B+

The Last Chairlift by John Irving

 Title: The Last Chairlift

Author: John Irving
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 6/13/2023
When was the book published: 2022
Main Characters: Adam Brewster, writer, Little Ray, his mother, Eliot Barlow, marries his mother, Molly, lives with his mother, Grandma who reads Moby Dick, Grace who he marries, Em who loves his cousin Nora, and on and on, including ghosts
What happens? A very long story about Adam Brewster and the people in his life in NYC, New Hampshire, Toronto
How long was this? 889 pages
Did I like this? Borderline.  Way too long.  Almost gave up several times.
Overall grade: B-

I Will Find You by Harlan Coben

 Title: I Will Find You

Author: Harlan Coben
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 6/8/2023
When was the book published: 2023
Main Characters: David Burroughs, son Matthew, ex wife Cheryl, hot sister in law Rachel,  Philip MacKenzie, prison warden, his son Adam, the cop
What happens? David is in jail for 5 years for the brutal murder of his son, Matthew.  Rachel brings him a photo that was taken at an amusement park with an 8 year old boy with the same port wine stain.  Rachel and David decide that he is alive and David has to break out of jail.
How long was this? 325 pages
Did I like this?  Very exciting, finished in 3 days - some parts are a bit unbelievable, but the explanation at the end sort of ties it together.  
Overall grade: A-

Design for How People Learn by Julie Dirksen

 Title: Design for How People Learn

Author: Julie Dirksen
Did I listen or read?: library book Link+
When did I finish?: June 5, 2023
When was the book published: 2011
Main Characters:
What happens? excellent entertaining book with the basics of how to do training in a corporate setting.  great examples like the elephant and the rider
How long was this? 259 pages
Did I like this? Very good
Overall grade: A-

Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica

 Title: Local Woman Missing

Author: Mary Kubica
Did I listen or read?: audible
When did I finish?: May 31, 2023
When was the book published: 2021 
Main Characters: Delilah Dickey, Kate, Kate's wife (Barb???), Meredith (11 years ago, Delilah's mother), Leo (Delilah's brother)
What happens? Starts with two hours of Delilah being held hostage (for 11 years!) by a couple of morons.  Goes back and forth between present day (Leo reporting on Delilah's return) and Shelby Tebow (client of dula Kate) missing two weeks before Delilah goes missing
How long was this? 352 pages
Did I like this? Pretty good after the initial torture, interesting plot twists.  Completely incomprehensible behavior by the kidnapper/prisoner holders
Overall grade: B-

The Deserter by Nelson DeMille and Alex DeMille

 Title: The Deserter

Author: Nelson DeMille and Alex DeMille
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: May 20, 2023
When was the book published: 2019
Main Characters: Kyle Mercer the deserter, Maggie Taylor and Scott Brodie, the two CID looking for Kyle, Worley - the CIA mastermind
What happens? Mercer goes AWOL, gets caught and held by the Taliban for 2 years, randomly spotted in Venezuala, and CID goes looking for him
How long was this? 528 pages
Did I like this? a good story, a bit annoying that Brodie is constantly thinking about sex with his partner, but action packed and fast moving
Overall grade: B+

Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan

 Title: Mad Honey

Author: Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 5/10/2023
When was the book published: 2022
Main Characters: Olivia, the beekeeper, Asher her son.  Ava, the forest ranger, and her daugher Lily.  Maya, Asher's lifelong best friend
What happens? Asher and Lily have a tumultuous romance and then she is found dead at the bottom of the stairs.  Asher finds her and is charged with her murder
How long was this? 432 pages
Did I like this? exceptional story, with the bee keeping and the social aspect
Overall grade: A+

Made to Stick by Chip Heath and Dan Heath

 Title: Made to Stick

Author: Chip Heath and Dan Heath
Did I listen or read?: book
When did I finish?: May 7 2023
When was the book published: 2007
Main Characters:
SUCCESs

Simple
Unexpected

Concrete

Credible
Emotional
Stories 
What happens?
How long was this? 250 pages
Did I like this? one of the best biz books ever
Overall grade: A

Storm Watch by C.J. Box

 Title: Storm Watch

Author: C.J. Box
Did I listen or read?: audible
When did I finish?: May 6 2023
When was the book published: 2023
Main Characters: Joe Pickett, Sheridan, MaryBeth, Nate R, his new friend, the old governor, the new governor, Missy.
What happens? Joe stumbles on a dead UW professor stuck in a crypto mining pod, and Nate gets sucked into a scheme to find right wing extremists.
How long was this? 368 pages
Did I like this? I wasn't aware that the Deep State, the Coastal Elite, the Federal Gov't and the FBI are in a conspiracy to ruin Wyoming.  It seems that the right wing extremists aren't really dangerous, that there are a bunch of FBI agents conspiring to entice them into being dangerous.  Joe is still the best character around.
Overall grade: B+

All the Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham

 Title: All the Dangerous Things

Author: Stact Willingham
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: May 3, 2023
When was the book published: 2023
Main Characters: Isabelle, kidnapped son, Mason, her sister from her youth, Margaret, ex-husband Ben
What happens? Mason is kidnaped, Isabelle can't sleep.  Ben's got a new girl
How long was this? 320 pages
Did I like this? Yes, a page turner.  Complex female characters.
Overall grade: B+

A Death in Tokyo by Keigo Higashino

 Title: A Death in Tokyo

Author: kiego Higashino
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: April 27 2023
When was the book published: 2011
Main Characters: Kago, the copy, and Matsuyima, his cousin the other cop.  Takeaki the dead guy, Yuto his son, Kumiko his wife.  fuyuki yashima
What happens? Takeai Aoyagi gets stabbed to death.  Fuyuki gets blamed, and runs away and gets hit by a car.
How long was this? 359 pages
Did I like this? It was OK.  The characters aren't developed and the translation comes across as a little stilted.  Interesting insight into Japanese culture.
Overall grade: B

Lady in the Lake by Laura Lippman

 Title: Lady in the Lake

Author: Laura Lippman
Did I listen or read?: libby audiobook
When did I finish?: April 25, 2023
When was the book published: 2019
Main Characters: Maddie Schwartz, Ferdie the cop, Cleo Sherwood
What happens? Maddie leaves her husband, stumbles on a dead body, becomes a journalist, and tries to solve the mystery of Cleo, the lady in the lake.
How long was this? 382 pages
Did I like this? Pretty good story, yeah.  Pretty good plot twist toward the end.
Overall grade: A-

Edge: Turning Adversity into Advantage by Laura Huang

 Title: Edge: Turning Adversity into Advantage

Author: Laura Huang
Did I listen or read?: book
When did I finish?: 4/21/23
When was the book published:  2020
Main Characters:
What happens? Your edge comes from Enrich, Delight, Guide and Effort.  Effort is what people always talk about, and you need it, but you have to stand out from the crowd and positively address the negative perceptions and views with your Edge.  I guess.
How long was this? 220 pages
Did I like this? ocassional glimpses of a good biz book, but mostly rambling, non-specific
Overall grade:  C+

All the Broken Places by John Boyne

Title: All the Broken Places
Author: John Boyne
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: April 19, 2023
When was the book published: 2022
Main Characters: Greta Fernsby, Heidi across the hall, Madelyn and Henry downstairs, her son Caden and 4th wife Eleanor
What happens? Greta is 91 and living in London in a fancy apartment.  Heidi is getting dementia.  The book alternates between present day London and her days post-war in Paris and Sydney.
How long was this? 383 pages
Did I like this? Very good story, well formed characters.
Overall grade: A-

 

Local Gone Missing by Fiona Barton

 Title: Local Gone Missing

Author: Fiona Barton
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: April 13, 2023
When was the book published: 2022
Main Characters: Elise King, cop recovering from mastectomy, Caro, other cop, Charles Perry (Williams) goes missing, Toby and Frank own the restaurant in Ebbing, Dee cleans houses, Pauline is Charlie's wife, Birdie is his daughter in a home due to brain damage during a robbery
What happens? It takes a while before Charlie goes missing.  Elise is struggling to get back, and starts investigating the missing person with Pauline her nosy neighbor.  Some kids get caught selling drugs at the controversial music festivale, then there's a fire.
How long was this? 370 pages
Did I like this? It was pretty good - hard to keep track of the character's with the first names and I still don't understand (spoiler alert) how Dee is related to Charlie.
Overall grade: B+

The Information by James Gleick

 Title: The Information

Author: James Gleick
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: April 12 2023
When was the book published: 2011
Main Characters: non fiction
What happens? lengthy discussion of the history of information.  how writing changed things.  how the internet changed this.  the intent is to stress the importance of knowing the history of information and how it developed, but I don't think I know this after reading the book.  see ChatGPT below
How long was this? 425 pages
Did I like this? long and slow, some flashes of knowledge
Overall grade: B

ChatGPT summary:

"The Information" by James Gleick is a non-fiction book that explores the history of information and how it has shaped human culture and society. Here are five takeaways and important points from the book:

1. Information is a fundamental concept that exists in all aspects of human life. Gleick argues that information is not just a technical concept, but a fundamental aspect of the universe, which can be seen in everything from the movement of particles to the organization of human societies.

2. The invention of writing was a major turning point in human history. Writing allowed for the preservation and transmission of knowledge over time and space, leading to the development of complex civilizations and the accumulation of knowledge.

3. The digital age has transformed the way we produce, store, and communicate information. The internet and other digital technologies have made it easier than ever before to access and share information, but they have also created new challenges, such as the need to manage and protect personal data.

4. Information theory provides a framework for understanding how information is transmitted and processed. Gleick discusses the work of Claude Shannon, who developed mathematical theories of information and communication, and explores how these ideas have influenced fields as diverse as genetics, physics, and computer science.

5. The way we think about information shapes the world around us. Gleick argues that our understanding of information has shaped human culture and society in profound ways, from the development of printing and the rise of the scientific method to the invention of the internet and the emergence of new forms of communication and social interaction. Ultimately, he suggests that understanding the history and nature of information is key to understanding our place in the world.

Two Nights in Lisbon by Chris Pavone

 Title: Two Nights in Lisbon

Author: Chris Pavone
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: April 5, 2023
When was the book published: 2022
Main Characters: Ariel, John, son George, CIA (Griffiths), Spanish police (Moniz and Sanots)
What happens? Ariel and John are in Lisbon on business, and he is kidnapped.  She goes for the money to a man from her mysterious past.  The CIA and Spanish police get involved.
How long was this? 432 pages
Did I like this?  good story, moves fast, lots of twists and turns, a bit too much hinting about the mysterious past and who is involved
Overall grade: A-

Damaged by Lisa Scottoline

Title: Damaged

Author: Lisa Scottoline
Did I listen or read?: libby and then library book to finish
When did I finish?: April 3, 2023
When was the book published: 2016
Main Characters: Mary DiNunzio, Patrick O'Brien, dyslexic kid being raised by Edmund, his grandfather.  Opposing lawyer Machievelli.  Fiance Anthony
What happens? Edmund hires Mary to help Patrick who was assaulted in school, and isn't getting the right help
How long was this?  402 pages
Did I like this? Good story, emotional
Overall grade: A-

The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer

 Title: The Female Persuasion

Author: Meg Wolitzer
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: March 28, 2023
When was the book published: 2018
Main Characters: Faith Frank, feminist leader, Greer Kadetsky, shy college student, Cory, longtime boyfriend, Zee, college friend
How long was this? 454 pags
Did I like this? pretty good story, sure
Overall grade: B+

The Seven Husbands of Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Title: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
Did I listen or read?: kindle
When did I finish?: March 21, 2023
When was the book published: 2017
Main Characters: Evelyn Hugo, Monique Grant, Celia St. James, Harry the agent and best friend
What happens? Evelyn picks Monique to write her life story, and reveals lots of secrets and surprises
How long was this? 389 pages
Did I like this?  Reasonably good.
Overall grade: B+

The Lovers by John Connolly

Title: The Lovers

Author: John Connolly
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 3/16/2023
When was the book published: 2009
Main Characters: Charlie Parker, writer Mickey Wallace, his father's former partners Jimmy Gallagher and Eddie Grace, Rabbi Epstein
What happens?  Charlie is on break from being a PI and working at the Bear in Portland ME.  He decides to try to find out why his father killed two teenagers, and then committed suicide, many years ago.
How long was this? 340 pages
Did I like this? A good writer, but full of supernatural mumbo jumbo
Overall grade: B-

The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth

 Title: The Younger Wife

Author: Sally Hepworth
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 3/9/2023
When was the book published: 2022
Main Characters: Stephen, doctor, Heather, younger woman, Pam, current wife w dementia, Tully and Rachel daughters
What happens? Pam is fading into oblivion, Stepben and Heather are engaged.  But something is wrong, is it Stephen?  And who is Fiona?
How long was this? 342 pages
Did I like this? Ok, characters all had weird obsessive behavior, boring to have them struggle against each flaw.  Ending was sudden and strange.  
Overall grade: B-

Fairy Tale by Stephen King

 Title: Fairy Tale

Author: Stephen King
Did I listen or read?: audible
When did I finish?: February 9, 2023
When was the book published: 2022
Main Characters: Charlie Reade, his father, neighbor Mr. Bowditch, and of course, Dora, flightkiller, "I", Percival, Princess Leah, 
What happens? Charlie helps Mr. Bowditch when he fell off the roof.  Bowditch is a curmudgeon but opens up to young Charlie, and passes away, leaving him the secret to ...  a  fairy tale.
How long was this? 600 pages
Did I like this?  Considering how long it was, pretty good.  The beginning with the two characters and old Radar was great, and the last 3/4s was the fairy tale.  The dungeon part got a bit old.  
Overall grade: B+

The Lies I Tell by Julie Clark

Title: The Lies I Tell

Author: Julie Clark
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 3/4/2023
When was the book published: 2022
Main Characters: Kat the reporter following Meg the con artist.  Ron Atwood the bad guy politican house stealer.  His friend Nate the date rapist, Kat's husband the gambling addict
What happens? Meg goes after Ron as he goes for election, Kate gets a job as her assistant
How long was this? 292 shapes
Did I like this? It was OK, a different approach.   Hard to follow the history vs the present
Overall grade: B

The Prisoner by B.A. Paris

 Title: The Prisoner

Author: B.A. Paris
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?:  March 2, 2023
When was the book published: 2022
Main Characters: Amelie, Ned Hawthorpe, Carolyn + Lina + Justine
What happens? Amelie's father dies, she runs away at 17 to London, meets Carolyn, gets tangled with Ned's magazine.  Ned and Amelie are kidnapped
How long was this? 292 pages
Did I like this? Pretty good, an odd plot with a lot of weird decisions and premises.  But a page turner, unusual story
Overall grade: B+

Someone Else's Shoes by JoJo Moyes

 Title: Someone Else's Shoes

Author: JoJo Moyes
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: February 27, 2023
When was the book published: 2023
Main Characters: Sam, Nisha, Jasmine, Andrea.  Aleks the polish chef.  Phil, Sam's out of work husband
What happens? Sam accidentally takes Nisha's bag, with the Loubotin shoes, from the gym on the day when Carl decides to cut off Nisha completely.  
How long was this? 435 pages
Did I like this? really good story, suspenseful in a fun way, ending with lots of nice twists
Overall grade: A-

Portrait of an Unknown Woman by Daniel Silva

 Title: Portrait of an Unknown Woman

Author: Daniel Silva
Did I listen or read?: library large type
When did I finish?: 2/24/2023
When was the book published: 2022
Main Characters: Gabriel Allon, wife Chiara, Julian Isherwood, Sarah ex cia who works for Julian, husband Christopher
What happens? A woman realizes that her husband bought a painting (Unknown Woman) and it was just sold as a "new discovery" buy Julian's gallery.
How long was this? 496 pages
Did I like this? pretty good, not the most riveting story ever, but kept my attention
Overall grade: B+

Captive by Iris Johansen

 Title: Captive

Author: Iris Johansen
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 2/18/23
When was the book published: 2023
Main Characters: Jane the painter, Caleb the hunter, MacDuff the laird, Rodland the protector, Bohdan the evil bad guy from the Congo
What happens? Caleb is hunted and hunts Bohdan.  Jane tries to solve the mystery of the Cira and the 2nd treasure
How long was this? 342 pages
Did I like this? Horrible, don't ever read this author again.  Tortured repetitive illogical dialogue about how great they all are
Overall grade: D-

The Bomber Mafia by Malcolm Gladwell

 Title: The Bomber Mafia

Author: Malcolm Gladwell
Did I listen or read?: powell's book
When did I finish?: Feb 9, 2023
When was the book published: April, 2021
Main Characters: Curtis LeMay, a bunch of military 
What happens? the story of people who designed targeted bombing, and how we firebombed Japanese cities before the atom bomb
How long was this? 210 pages
Did I like this? riveting story, but not 100% sure what the point is.  or even 80% sure
Overall grade: B

Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak

 Title: Hidden Pictures

Author: Jason Rekulak

Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 2/9/2023
When was the book published: 2022
Main Characters: Mallory Quinn, recovering adding.  Caroline and Ted, parents of Teddy, who hire Mallory for a summer of nanny-ing.  Then there's Anya.
What happens?  Mallory gets hired by Caroline, and Teddy starts producing drawings of a woman being killed and buried in the forest.
How long was this?  372 pages
Did I like this? A good story with a believable supernatural element.  The ending was Exciting.
Overall grade: A-

The Island by Elin Hilderbrand

 Title: The Island

Author: Elin Hilderbrand
Did I listen or read?: book - Powell's
When did I finish?: February 2, 2023
When was the book published: 2010
Main Characters: Chess, Birdie, Tate, India
What happens? 4 women spend a month on Tuckernuck island after Chess's backs out of her wedding, and her ex-fiance dies in a climbing accident
How long was this? 407 pages
Did I like this? good story, good characters, yes
Overall grade: B+

The Ink Black Heart by Robert Galbraith

 Title: The Ink Black Heart

Author: Robert Galbraith
Did I listen or read?: audible 30 hours
When did I finish?: Feb 3, 2023
When was the book published: 2022
Main Characters: Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacot, Edie Ledwell, Josh Bray, Anime, the cast of the cartoon, the people running the game 
What happens? Edie is murdered, and Josh nearly killed, stabbed in the cemetery where they conceived of the IBH.  Who did it?
How long was this? 1400 pages
Did I like this? way too long, but very good
Overall grade: B

Until I Find You by Rea Frey

 Title: Until I Find You

Author: Rea Frey
Did I listen or read?: book from Hannah A
When did I finish?: Feb 1, 2023
When was the book published: 2020
Main Characters:  Rebecca, Bec, blind lady
What happens? Bec is raising her son by herself, as her husband was killed in an accident.  She realizes one day that someone has switched her baby.  No one believes here.
How long was this? 320 pages
Did I like this? Good, suspenseful, like being in the body of a blind person
Overall grade: B+

Atonement by Ian McEwan

Title: Atonement
Author: Ian McEwan
Did I listen or read?: powell's paperback
When did I finish?: 1/22/2023
When was the book published: 2001
Main Characters: Briony, sister Cecilia and the rich Tallis family, the housekeeper's kid, Robbie
What happens? Briony gets confused and thinks Robbie attacked cousin Lola after writing Cecilia a love note on the 'vagina' page of Grey's Anatomy.  
How long was this? 350 pages
Did I like this? extreeeeeeeeeemely slow, interesting plot, lots of well drawn scenes
Overall grade: B-

 

The Killing Kind by John Connolly

Title: The Killing Kind
Author: John Connolly
Did I listen or read?: book - powells
When did I finish?: 1/10/2023
When was the book published: 2001
Main Characters: Charlie Parker, PI, Grace Parker, PhD researcher.  Mr. Pudd.  Angel and Louis.  Girlfriend Rachel.  Aroostook Baptists
What happens? Rich guy hires Parker to prove that Grace didn't kill herself.  Nasty tangles with murderous religious nuts, spider lovers, The Fellowship.  
How long was this? 363 pages
Did I like this? Well written and fast moving and exciting but dark and nasty and nightmarish
Overall grade: B+

The Third Victim by Lisa Gardner

 Title: The Third Victim

Author: Lisa Gardner
Did I listen or read?: Book - Powell's
When did I finish?: 1/1/2023
When was the book published: 2016 
Main Characters: Rainie Conner, cop in Bakersville, Shep, sheriff, FBI profiler Pierce Quincy
What happens? A school shooting where Shep's son appears to have killed the computer lab teach Miss Avalon and 2 little girls.
How long was this? 369 pages
Did I like this? Good story, fast paced, believable
Overall grade: A-

All the Devils are Here by Louise Penny

 Title: All the Devils are Here

Author: Louise Penny
Did I listen or read?: kindle
When did I finish?: December 25, 2022
When was the book published:  2020 
Main Characters: Armand Gamache #16, wife, Jean Guy, Isabelle, son Danielle and wife, Annie.  Stephen Horowitz, Armand's godfather, mysterious billionaire
What happens? Armand goes to Paris to for the birth of Annie's 2nd, Jean Guy is working this weird corporate job, Armand's son Daniel hates him, and Stephen is in trouble.
How long was this? 439 pages
Did I like this?  good story, ending was quite implausible, but better than their all dying
Overall grade: B+