Ryan > Recent Status Updates

Struggling to read what is a decently written book. Then I realized. I find the protagonist a weakling. Attilius seems to be hardly a rugged ACTOR, just a willing participant in a mystery. I find the passages with Pliny and Ampliatus more compelling. Both men are much stronger characters. One an ambitious conniving ex slave. The other a dying admiral

Currently re-reading the entire 007 series and I’ve forgotten how dang funny Fleming is. Example, the beginning of the chapter Darko Kerim, Bond wakes up with a bedbug bite and recalls how he chose his hotel (for its name Kristal Palas). How he checked for blood from squashed bugs and how LOL the faucet coughed and belched out a centipede which he washed away with the brown water that followed.

Barely a third of the way in and already a fascinating and moving exploration of a much more interesting man than most people would assume. His mother is a piece of work.

Interesting.

Always annoyed by the sheer size of these recent books before I start them. But then I start reading and I’m pulled along by the characters. This one also offers a pretty engaging mystery.

Pretty good stuff, esp. the beat sheet. Not sure how much all the different genres matter to me if I'm not reading/writing them. So I may skip most of the genre chapters and move to the final chapters.

Interesting.

Writing is solid and characters are cool. But I wish Ide moves away from these dual-stories/dual timelines gimmick in future books

Still a fun read. Alex has finally joined the army.

Like reading a thriller about a super hero. Great mixture of historical tidbits and adventure, watching this kid who doesn’t belong fit right into French high society and excel where he “should not”.

Really liking this book now.

Just after Lisbeth has had Mikael barge into her life and forge a partnership. Seems that the story is suddenly getting into gear. I'm not in love with the writing (mind, it IS a translation) but Larsson is a great storyteller.

Never thought I'd like a locked-room mystery (and this one literally fits the bill) but I find the pale, bland characters usurped by what's really important - the puzzle. Poirot is annoyingly quirky but fun to follow.

Love the lyrical writing. A few awkward phrases and missing words (no doubt due to translation) but also some beautiful pieces of writing. I like this writer.

Definitely reading more like a commercial thriller than le Carré's usual work. Not as good as his usual work but still the characters are interesting, thewriting good.

Keep waiting for "depth" before reminding myself this book is just plain Indiana Jones type fun. Pretty cool, clever episodic writing without the existential or nihilistic melodrama

Of the now popular Scandinavian writers, I've read Jo Nesbo more than anyone else. I think, 70 pages in, that Nesbo is better with setting up a scene but I love the characters and straightforward style of Larsson. I can see already why people fell in love with Salander so easily.