Bert > Recent Status Updates

I can't wait to read & review this Goodreads First Reads book. I'm a big fan of quality crime mysteries, and I am fascinated by Europe after WWII during the The Cold War.

I love this book! Already looking past this biography to this author's study of the life of Harold Ross of the New Yorker.

I'm hoping that this book isn't superficial, and the dust jacket implies that it treats the Beany Baby phenomenon as something cult-like that often bordered on addiction.

Eagerly anticipating reading & reviewing this biography of a fascinating man. I even like the binding, it's hand-assembled in a fashion identical to my appellate briefs, high-quality and a plastic cover protecting what otherwise would be the cover.

Perfect early Vietnam air war story. For those blessed or cursed with too much testosterone.

Looking forward to perusing an uncorrected proof of Matthew Dunn's "Dark Spies," #4 in his Spycatcher Series. Fast-paced action to take my mind away from the sadness that accompanies the onset of winter.

Kickoff for a book with an interesting premise.....

I was surprised by the sheer size of this Goodreads publisher promotional edition which the UPS driver handed me this afternoon. Looks like there's a free novella included in a separate binder. So many books, so little time.....

Received my uncorrected proof of the paperback 2014 edition of this book today, no consideration was given to make my review anything but objective and honest. Looking for my favorite chair to put under the old shade tree.....

Bus man's holiday for me, reading a novel about a death penalty case.....

Written in 1970 and set in Sweden in 1969, 6th of the Martin Beck police procedural mysteries. Looking forward to enjoying this classic, supposedly none the worse despite being an English translation.

This is a fascinating book, despite the fact that it may only appeal to those into historical fiction. Lots of memories of a divided Berlin, and many opportunities to painlessly refresh your German vocabulary with a sprinkling of nouns and figures of speech.

It has been a long time since I've read a book that's never been critiqued by anyone on Goodreads. Oh well, life is full of uncertainty, and the electronic Kindle version was free.....

finished

Florida crime mystery in the 1940's.....it just doesn't get any better than this!!! Here I go, hopelessly attracted like a moth to a flame.

finished.....outstanding read.

This recent novel is fascinating and frustrating at the same time. However the speed with which I'm plodding forward tells you that, on balance, I think it's a worthwhile read.

finished.

Half way through this interesting book. Protagonist is an Austrian actor who has spent the last 8 years in Hollywood, returning to Paris to make a movie. He's thrown into a politically turbulent world of manipulation and propoganda, German pre-war softening-up of the French people, and the Germans want him to be their political pawn.

Just received a complimentary copy of this espionage novel from the publisher under Goodreads' promotion. Anxious to wade into this novel, I like the genre, the historical era, and the author has high marks with critics.

Wading into this hauntingly beautiful tale of New Orleans in 1891, and knowing that I won't be disappointed. Thank god for thoughtful books, without them there'd some days be little to brighten up one's spiritual dimension.....

finished...see review

Finished Part One. Missed rather exciting sporting event last night, since I got absorbed in the content.

No disappointments so far, just one typographical error, should read "unrequited love" not "unrequited love" on page 19.

Just received this early release uncorrected proof, and I'm anxious to begin my careful read & ultimate thoughtful review. We know so little about the human mind, and many times illness is masked by ambiguous symptoms.

Finished. A nice piece of historical fiction, set 37 years after the Battle of Hastings. Reminiscent of BBC mystery shows, only with a Medieval cast and setting. 4 stars.

Life gets more and more complicated for Groffrey, who is seriously distracted from his stated mission (joining the Crusades to liberate Jerusalem). Politics, homicide, greed in abundance.....just like life 1,000 years later.

I have to admit I'm getting to like this book. Set 1,000+ years ago, the author shows how little things in matters involving human nature have changed at all.

Thank goodness our author writes in modern English, I told myself as I gave a sigh of relief after completing the 1st two chapters. Beowulf in language & spelling authentic to the era almost extinguished the lamp of learning that I'd been so eager to cultivate when I hit "Survey of English Literature" in college. Our protagonist is a knight bound to join the crusade to free Jerusalem.

Finished. Refreshing story, and it didn't bog down despite it's length.