Readers and Reading discussion

Please post the books you read in November here. Comments on the books would be a nice touch.....

You can see my books here (with comments)

http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/...

JoAnn, you are making my TBR list GROW! I think I just might have to get a copy of the Laurie Colwin book.

Short list this month, too much going on.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. For book group, a first-time read. I enjoyed it--memorable characters, good story.

The Camel Club by David Baldacci. Not bad. Featured a Secret Service agent and an older man with a mysterious background who keeps track of what's going on in Washington, DC, particularly regarding the White House.

What I read in November 2010

4770 A Patriot's History of the United States From Columbus's Great Discovery to the War on Terror, by Larry Schweikart and Michael Allen (read 1 Nov 2010) This is a far right opus, endorsed by such people as Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, and others of like ilk. It is 829 pages of text, 68 pages of footnotes, and a bibliography called "Selected Reading" of a little over a page. The book makes no attempt to be fair or balanced but is blatantly right wing. So I was pleased to see it endorsed some things undoubtedly correct, e.g. slavery was the cause of the Civil War; the historic Republican position in favor of high protective tariffs was wrong; Hoover and his policies caused the Great Depression; Truman "in a bold and necessary stroke relieved MacArthur ...(and so) protected the integrity of the presidency and squelched permanently any notion that military leaders could dictate public policy." But when the account gets to Reagan and Clinton and Geo. W. Bush the account is hopelessly biased and makes no attempt to be objective. As an illustration, they say Saddam Hussein had many contacts with Al Qaeda terrorists--something Bush and even Cheney have stated is not true.The book is filled with slanted ideology and makes no effort to tout anything not 100% in agreement with far right Republican ideology. There were so many things wrong with what the authors say that it was really exasperating to read the book, but I read the whole thing and it confirmed the correctness of my political views. The footnotes are not to original sources but to other right wing tracts. I feel as if the time reading the book was wasted, but it wasn't since it confirmed in my mind why the viewpoint often set out in the book is biased and usually wrong. I gave the book a half star in my on-line review--the lowest possible rating.

4771 Coleridge Early Visions 1772-1804, by Richard Holmes (read 5 Nov 2010) (Whitbread Book of the Year for 1989) Coleridge died July 25, 1834, so this book only covers half his life, but it is the more interesting half. This volume is of interest when it tells of Coleridge's poems Kubla Khan and The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. Coleridge was unhappily married and spent much time away from his wife. He was addicted to opium and always made big plans but seldom carried them out. All in all, the book did not entrance though his life was of interest. I won't read the second volume.

4772 Boy's Life, by Robert McCammon (read 8 Nov 2010) I sometimes find accounts of growing up years fun to read. This is a novel, but there is too much fantasy so that impossible things happen--although the worst--boys and dogs flying--is later on described as imagination showing the joy of the first day of summer vacation. Cory Mackenson is 11 and 12 in a town called Zephyr, Alabama, and it the same age as the author was in 1964 (the time of the story) who was born in Alabama. Cory's father sees a man bound in a car in a lake and tries to save him. Much of the story is about boys and their activities, including a poignant account of Cory's dog. The story has a plot which is of interest but spoiled by fantasy aspects. At times the book caught me up but the fantasy parts spoiled it.

4773 Trent's Last Case, by E. C. Bentley (read 10 Nov 2010) This is a famous detective story published in 1913. It involves a rich man murdered on his estate in the south of England. Phillip Trent is a painter who has earned fame as a detective and he is called into the case. He arrives at a solution and gives it to the widow of the murdered man, who doe nothing with it. Eventually it turns out that Trent's solution and the suspect's solution, are disclosed. I found this a very good book, although my solution was not the one given in the book, but I thought mine was superior to the actual one--which no one could have deduced since we were not given enough clues to come to that solution. Though almost 100 years old, the book was of high interest.

4774 No Angel My Harrowing Undercover Journey to the Inner Circle of the Hells Angels, by Jay Dobyns and Nils Johnson-Shelton (read 12 Nov 2010) The author, once a football player for Arizona, went to work after college for the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms agency and did undercover work infiltrating Hells Angels. The reading often becomes a chore, since every expletive is undeleted. The writer surely is braver than I would be, since he deals with such obnoxious people as were in Hells Angels in Arizona in the early 2000's. The account has some excitement and some tension, but I was glad to come to the end. Not a book about people I'd want to know.

4775 The General's Daughter, by Nelson DeMille (read 15 Nov 2010) This is the 10th book I've read by DeMille. It came out in 1992, when there was no war going on, and is laid at a fictional Fort Hadley, Va., where General Campbell is the commanding general and his daughter Ann is an Army Captain. It proceeds chronologically as Paul Brenner, an Army investigator, undertakes to solve Ann's murder. The scenario is quite incredible and bizarre, Ann being naked and pinned down by ropes and pegs. Brenner is smart and funny and for 3/4ths of the book I was caught up by the story. But it palls toward the end, as Brenner and his girl friend Cynthia work to solve the case, never doing a thing wrong in their deductions. It is like DeMille's books, holding one's attention even though the scenario is outlandish and not able to be believed.

4776 The Finkler Question, by Howard Jacobson (read 18 Nov 2010) (Man-Booker prize for 2010) This is the 31st Booker winner I've read. It is a "comic" novel relating the activities of two Jews and a guy, Julian Treslove, who wants to be a Jew. Libor is an old guy whose wife has died and Finkler is a BBC guy who Treslove cuckolds. The book is full of funny lines, and I had to laugh at times. But it also relishes the use of the four letter word for copulate, and spends much time discussing Treslove's sex life, which is not fun to read about. All in all, it was a struggle to read the book most of the time and I was glad to get to the end.

4777 The Confession, by John Grisham (read 19 Nov 2010) This is the 20th Grisham book I've read--there are five of his books I've not read. I read this one because it says good things against capital punishment,and mocks Texas 'justice'. It involves an 18-yea-old kid who is browbeaten into a confession--after 15 hours. The real murderer shows up and a fantastic effort is made to prevent the execution of the guy who gave the confession. The lawyer for the confession-giver is a good lawyer, for a change in a Grisham book. The book is effortless reading, poignant at times, but not really carefully written. There are good sentiments in the book and one wishes that people who believe that killing people deliberately and with premeditation and with malice aforethought, as a state does when it executes a person, is an OK thing, should read it.

4778 The Good Soldiers, by David Finkel (read 21 Nov 2010) This is a searing account of a Ranger battalion's year in Iraq, from April 2007 to April 2008. It is not fun reading, telling the story of the men and especially of those killed and wounded. All were part of "the surge" and the book places the reader in the awfulness of the soldiers who were in the thick of the effort to "pacify" Iraq.. It is an extremely vivid telling, and I kept thinking "this is what all wars are like" but I have read a lot of war accounts but certainly none of the Iraq war as gripping as this. It is super-sobering to think of the effects of the war on the wounded--bodily and mentally--and this book depicts that in unforgettable prose.

4779 The Temple of the Golden Pavilion, by Yukio Mishima Translated by Ivan Morris (read 23 Nov 2010) This is 1959 novel by a Japanese author who in 1970 tried and failed to initiate a coup to restore power to the emperor of Japan and then committed suicide ritually (hari-kari). This novel is based on an actual event in Japan where a young man set fire to a Buddhist temple. It is told in the first person by the arsonist. Much of it was a chore to read, since the narrator has such goofy ideas, as do the other characters. The narrator is a young man in training to be a priest at a Buddhist temple, who thinks perversely and determines to burn the Temple which he finds so beautiful. Very little of the book resonated with me, but of course his act makes no sense. I was glad to reach the end of the book.

4780 Colonel Roosevelt, by Edmund Morris (read 29 Nov 2010) This is the third and final volume of the author's biography of Theodore Roosevelt. I read the first volume 16 June 1979, the second 22 Apr 2002,and did not know if I would live to read the final volume. This book is excellently done and was superb reading, event though TR is not a hero to me. But the account of his time in Africa in 1909 and 1910, of his traipsing through Europe in 1910, and his return to the U.S. and leading up to the fantastic political year 1912 are all told exceptionally well. Then he went to Brazil and nearly died. He wanted to be nominated in 1916 but the Old Guard of the GOP would not do it because of his defiance of it in 1912. Then when war breaks out in 1914 he soon becomes eager for the US to get into that. In 1916 he gave such pro-war speeches for Hughes that he probably re-elected Wilson. When we did enter the war he tried to go leading a group as he did in the Spanish-American War, and urged his sons to get into battle. All of this is superbly told and makes for really great reading. Outside of on page 484 calling Senator John Sharp Williams of Mississippi a "Missouri Democrat" I saw no error in this magnificent book.

Some of what I read this month was not so great but I finished the month reading really good stuff.

Schmerguls wrote: one wishes that people who believe that killing people deliberately and with premeditation and with malice aforethought, as a state does when it executes a person, is an OK thing, should read it. .."

So what do you think should be done with these criminals (who have often "killed people deliberately and with premeditation and with malice aforethought"), if there is no doubt of their guilt?

(not saying I am a believer in capital punishment, mind you, just wondering....). Something in the bible about this, I think...eye for an eye.

JoAnn/QuAppelle wrote: "Schmerguls wrote: one wishes that people who believe that killing people deliberately and with premeditation and with malice aforethought, as a state does when it executes a person, is an OK thing,..."

Life in prison without parole. It is actually a lot cheaper than trying to kill them, and gives them a chance to repent. The eye for an eye doctrine was superseded by Jesus who said "do good to those who hate you" and forgive not once but seventy times. Self-defense does not require killing a criminal these days.

JoAnn----
Something in the bible about this, I think...eye for an eye.
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Schmerguls----

The eye for an eye doctrine was superseded by Jesus who said "do good to those who hate you" and forgive not once but seventy times.
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King James Bible
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Leviticus 19:18 "'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

Deuteronomy 32:35 It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them."

Proverbs 24:29 Do not say, "I'll do to him as he has done to me; I'll pay that man back for what he did."

Romans 12:17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.

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I've found that whenever someone quotes the bible, sure enough someone can come back with another quote from the bible that supports their view.

Therefore, since we are in the modern world and can use empirical studies and facts, that is what we should rely on to study this topic, in my opinion.

One argument that holds a lot of weight, for me at least, is that there is no remedy for an innocent person who is wrongfully executed.

The http://www.innocenceproject.org/ is one site people may want to check out

From their website- (to read more on each go to their web page.

~Eyewitness misidentification
~Unvalidated or improper forensic science
~ False confession admissions
~ forensic science misconduct
~ government misconduct
~ informants/snitches
~ bad lawyering

261 people have been exonerated due to DNA testing
17 who served time on death row
These people served an average of 13 years before being exonerated.

For more stats from the Innocence Project see this link
http://www.caught.net/innoc.htm

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~~~Amnesty International U.S.
Since 1973, over 130 people have been released from death rows throughout the country due to evidence of their wrongful convictions. In 2003 alone, 10 wrongfully convicted defendants were released from death row.

Factors leading to wrongful convictions include:
Inadequate legal representation
Police and prosecutorial misconduct
Perjured testimony and mistaken eyewitness testimony
Racial prejudice
Jailhouse "snitch" testimony
Suppression and/or misinterpretation of mitigating evidence
Community/political pressure to solve a case
http://www.amnestyusa.org/death-penal...

ANYway, back to the purpose of this thread.
My favorite Grisham was The Firm

What is your favorite Grisham ?

I agree, there is no way to bring back someone wrongly executed. But what about someone who confesses? Lots of them on death row.

I do not believe in the bible because there are so many conflicting "stories". I studied it in college, taught by a lovely, intelligent Catholic professor, and ever since then I have regarded it as just stories, made up for whatever reason those people had back then. When you look at it from an intellectual rather than a religious or emotional POV, it is pretty obvious.

So it fits in here since we were discussing fiction!

Do you have a favorite Grisham?

I haven't read him in ages. His books would make a good change of pace between more serious reads. They are generally quick reads, too. I'll have to check out Amazon to find a good one.

x-posted at M/T Reading Friends

This had to be one of my best months ever for overall quality with Voices being the best of the month.

Here are my November reads:

Top Reads

Cornflakes with John Lennon: And Other Tales from a Rock 'n' Roll Life
Robert Hilburn
One of the better rock memoirs I have read. Hilburn, the former rock critic from the LA Times, has a very readable style and obviously was a great interviewer. All of the stories of the various artists in this book were very interesting and I hope that someday he does a follow-up since I am sure he has many other rock tales to tell.

A Mist of Prophecies
Steven Saylor
Another entry from my favorite historical mystery series. In this book, Gordianus the Finder takes on a personal mission of detection which takes him into the homes of the most powerful women in Rome.

Moonlight Mile
Dennis Lehane
A worthy sequel to Gone, Baby, Gone. It was so great to catch up with two of my favorite detective characters again and see how they have changed and weathered the years. The plot did show some strains at times but I thought everything was wrapped up well and the ending hit all the right notes.

The freedom trap
Desmond Bagley
Another masterful adventure thriller from Desmond Bagley. I love the author's smooth writing style and expert plotting.

Deadline
John Dunning
Published back in 1981 and nominated for the Best Paperback Edgar this was a totally engrossing tale of a former prize winning journalist who gets caught up in the biggest story of his life.

Voices
Arnaldur Indriðason
During the run-up to Christmas, Erlendur and his team are called in to investigate the murder of a doorman, who was found in his Santa costume, at a large Rejkjavik hotel. This was another exceptional crime novel by Arnaldur Indriðason. Very dark and introspective, the plot focuses on family relationships and secrets. The characters were all memorable, the Icelandic setting fascinating, and there was even a tiny bit of the absurd to lighten the tone occasionally.

Good Reads

Throne of Jade
Naomi Novik
While not quite as good as the first book in the series this was a pretty entertaining listen. Not as much action but more intrigue and diplomacy. Simon Vance, as always, did a wonderful job with the narration.

The Eighth Circle
Stanley Ellin
Classic PI story, set in New York City, which won the Edgar Award for best mystery in 1959. For such a short book there were lots of characters and a pretty elaborate plot but the author did a good job of tying everything together and providing a satisfying conclusion.

Fade To Blonde
Max Phillips
One of Hard Case Crime's original works, this is a rather nifty homage to the hardboiled works of the Forties and Fifties. Set in Hollywood, Ray Corson wants to be a screenwriter but like many he has to find other work to pay the bills. Enter Rebecca LaFontaine who is looking for a hired hand. Only 220 pages, but plenty of plot, a self aware hero, and just enough hardboiled dialogue made this a quick enjoyable read.

The Tender Bar: A Memoir
J.R. Moehringer
After a slow start (partly because the first two c/d's were in terrible shape and skipped around so much that all I ended up hearing was men, unintelligible, men, unintelligible, men) I did end up enjoying this memoir about growing up in a fairly dysfunctional family, the author's quest to find suitable male role models, and his fascination with the local bar. The narration by Adam Grupper was professionally done and I was able to check out the paper version so I could fill in the blanks.

OK

Trust No One
Gregg Hurwitz
I found this political conspiracy type thriller to be a bit underwhelming especially as a follow-up to the author's previous book The Crime Writer which I thought was really good. Lots of action, twists, and turns that, to me, were fairly predictable. Listened to the audio version which was read by Patrick G. Lawlor.

Alias Reader wrote: "Do you have a favorite Grisham?

I haven't read him in ages. His books would make a good change of pace between more serious reads. They are generally quick reads, too."

I am not a huge fan of stories, but thought Ford County was very good.

JoAnn/QuAppelle wrote: "I agree, there is no way to bring back someone wrongly executed. But what about someone who confesses? Lots of them on death row. ."
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So the death penalty would be only for those that confess? Sometimes confession brings peace of mind to the victims family and society. Why give the ultimate punishment with the death penalty to the criminal who confesses over the one who is convicted by strong evidence but doesn't confess?

And then you have people who confess to crimes they didn't commit. Also is it justice if you have the same crime and only the person who confesses gets the death penalty? That doesn't seem right. I don't see how this would work.

I don't recall what crime it was, but it was a famous true life crime where the person thought they would get the death penalty for the crime they were committing, (he was wrong about this) and so he killed the witnesses. He said he only did that because of the death penalty.

Personally, I also have other issues with the death penalty. It would make me feel as if I was getting down to the level of the criminal. I don't need that on my conscience. Life in prison without any chance of parole is my preference.

It's certainly a hot button topic and people have strong feelings on both sides.

Just had to add a point of clarification here. The "eye for an eye" is so frequently misinterpreted to mean retribution without compassion, when in fact it was something entirely different. It was tort law. What it meant (and the surrounding laws associated with it) was that you didn't kill someone who put an eye out as was done in surrounding cultures. Justice had to be equal to the offense. It also incorporated the idea that the type of justice meted out was not related to one's status: not one type of punishment for the rich and another for the poor. It was justice for the offense, not the person, and it was justice proportional to the offense. The "eye for an eye" was illustrative and metaphorical, because in point of fact, no one in Hebrew/Jewish culture ever had an eye put out or a hand cut off as a sentence for an offense. The remedies for torts were always restorative, if possible, and/or monetary.

Schmerguls, regarding the Mishima book, the wacky ideas you talk of were often based in Japanese philosophy, some Buddhist, some Shinto. I didn't think Mishima did a great job of elucidating these for someone not familiar with them, and I often struggled with those passages, even as I found them interesting.

Alias Reader wrote: "
So the death penalty would be only for those that confess? ."

I never said that and have no idea why you would even think that I did!!!! I was referring to your list of the ways people are wrongfully convicted...and asked about those who confessed.

I recently saw a show about death row in some prison - the warden was a female but I forget where it was....personally, I would rather be dead than live like that.

Linda wrote: "JoAnn, you are making my TBR list GROW! I think I just might have to get a copy of the Laurie Colwin book."

I'm with Linda, Laurie Colwin must really be great since you have read her books multiple times.

I read a couple of books by Caroline Preston years ago. Jackie by Josie, which I really liked and Lucy Crocker 2.0: A Novel, which I did not care for at all.

I liked Jackie by Josie too. I skimmed a lot of Lucy Crocker 2.0

Although I love Colwin's food books, I thought her novels were just okay.

JoAnn/QuAppelle wrote: "Alias Reader wrote: "
So the death penalty would be only for those that confess? ."

I never said that and have no idea why you would even think that I did!!!! I was referring to your list of the w..."
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Sorry when you wrote in post #9, "I agree, there is no way to bring back someone wrongly executed. But what about someone who confesses? " I thought this meant you wanted to give the death penalty to someone who confesses. I didn't realize you were referring to the list.

Sorry, that I misunderstood your intent.

My List for November

Night Elie Wiesel 5/5
The Hot Flash Club Strikes Again Nancy Thayer3/5
Drop Shot Harlan Coben 4/5
Alex Cross's Trial James Patterson3/5
Knitting Bones Monica Ferris3/5