David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell

Title: David and Goliath
Author: Malcolm Gladwell
Did I listen or read?: library book, large type
When did I finish?: Feb 20, 2014
When was the book published: 2913
Main Characters: non-fiction
What happens?
Goliath loses despite having more power, more weapons.  Bigger and richer and stronger isn't necessarily better. People succeed (disproportionately so) despite having obstacles like dsylexia.  Londoners got used to the London bombing, and the "far misses" were stronger from overcoming the fear. Going to the best university isn't right for everyone - a real strong argument against affirmative action.  Raising kids can be harder when you are rich (income greater than 75,000 dollars.)  The inverses U curve fits into many situations - the task can be harder when you add too many resources - three strikes doesn't work (right side of the curve.) Authority comes from the perception of legitimacy, not from strength.  Decreasing class sizes works in some ranges, but not in others (too small or too big.) The Impressionists succeeded by giving up on the Salon (the powerful source of legitimacy) and creating their own. The History of Impressionaism  by John Rewald (MOMA, 1973) or THe Judgement of Paris by Ross King (Walker Publishing, 2006)
How long was this? 332 pages regular
Did I like this? Top notch
Overall grade: A

Wonderland by Ace Atkins channeling Robert Parker

Title:  Wonderland
Author: Ace Atkins, for Robert Parker
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: February 14, 2014
When was the book published: 2013
Main Characters: Spenser, Susan, no Hawk, Henry Cimoli, "Z" Zebulon Sixkill
What happens? Spenser helps Henry who gets threatened as he hesitates in selling his beachfront condo in Revere.  A couple of Las Vegas types want to build gambling in Revere, one at Wonderland.  The mob gets involved, and the Weinbergs marriage and competition with Harvey Rose (former math genius turned gambling exec) and the young lady who leaves Rose and works with and sleeps with Weinberg turn this into a quality plot.
How long was this? 315 pages
Did I like this? Good stuff, very entertaining, seamless Spenser
Overall grade: B+

Night Film by Marisha Pessi

Title: Night Film
Author: Marisha Pessi
Did I listen or read?: hard cover book, gift from Jacob xmas 2013
When did I finish?: Feb 7, 2014
When was the book published: 2013
Main Characters: Ashley Cordova, Stanislas Cordova, journalist Scott McGrath, two young sidekicks
What happens?  McGrath investigates Ashley's death, delving into the mysterious world of Cordova's films, and the estate where lived as a recluse building a film study.  Did he recreate his films in real life and torture his children?  Was his daughter haunted by black magic?
How long was this? 550 pages approx
Did I like this? Excellent book, very unique style, a real page turner
Overall grade: An A- because of the ending.  But a great book.

The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling)

Title: The Cuckoo's Calling
Author: Robert Galbraith (a.k.a. J.K. Rowling)
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: Jan 24, 2014
When was the book published: 2013
Main Characters: Cormoran Strike, ex military PI, Lula Landry, dead supermodel, Robin Ellacott, Strike's temp secretary, Lula's brother John Bristow, uncle Tony Landry, other family members, neighbors the Bestaguis
What happens? Lula is found dead after a fall from her apartment.  It is ruled suicide.  John Bristow hires Strike to find out what really happened.  Neighbor Bestagui heard arguing, but her story doesn't make sense.
How long was this? 455 pages
Did I like this? Top notch, hope she does a sequel
Overall grade: A-

The First Eagle by Tony Hillerman

Title: The First Eagle
Author: Tony Hillerman
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: January 18, 2014
When was the book published: 1998
Main Characters: Jim Chee, Joe Leaphorn, Cathy Pollard, biologist, a bunch of other scientific types taking fleas off prairie dogs
What happens? A man dies from the plague, but apparently a weaponized version.  Cathy Pollard disappears, and her grandmother hires retired Joe to find out what happened to her.
How long was this? 278 pages
Did I like this? Hillerman is great.  Wonderful to read such great writing.
Overall grade: A-

Snow White Must Die by Nele Neuhaus

Title: Snow White Must Die
Author: Nele Neuhaus
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: Jan 13, 2014
When was the book published: 2009
Main Characters: Pia Kirchhoff and Oliver von Bodenstein are the cops, Tobias Sartorius has just gotten out of jail after serving 10 years for the murder of two girls that he doesn't remember.  The whole town of Altenhain is involved, including actress Nadia von Bredow, and the Lauterbachs and the rich people, the Terlindens
What happens? Tobias gets out of jail, everyone hates him when he returns home, but not because of what he did, but because everyone is involved in some way in the cover up that twists through the entire twisted town.
How long was this? 374 pages
Did I like this? Not much.  Way too many villains, calamaties.  In one day, one guy commits suicide, someone sets fire to the barn, two people are assaulted and mugged.  etc.
Overall grade: C

Snapper by Brian Kimberling

Title: Snapper
Author: Brian Kimberling
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: 1/2/2014
When was the book published: 2013
Main Characters: Nathan Lochmueller, bird watcher, his girl Lola
What happens? Life in the midwest, Indiana, the KKK.  A meandering tale that is a bit hard to follow at times through one man's interesting and not-so-interesting life as a birder and man.
How long was this? 210 pages
Did I like this? parts yes, parts no
Overall grade: C+