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-