Published in 2015, the Guilty is the fourth book in the Will Robie series. A modern day James Bond, Will Robie teams up with his female equivalent to find their boss.
Turn about is fair play I guess. We heart about Jessica Reel’s life then we heard about Will Robie’s. I guess it is only fair we now here about Blue Man’s. Still, I was engaged and enjoyed the read.
A good read but be sure to read the series in order.
Published in 2017, End Game gives us Will Robie and Jessica Reel coming to the rescue of their old boss “Blue Man”. He’s gone missing and the intelligence he has could cause our country untold harm. We have to get him back but who has him?
This was a fun commentary on the doom’s day prepping groups. The story itself was a fun shoot ’em up but it was fun that it took place in our country. I thought Jessica’s reaction to it all was a little over the top but, on the whole, I enjoyed it.
A fun read.
Go Set A Watchman was published in 2015 and immediately went to the New York Times Best Seller’s list. It was actually written some 70 years before and some believe it to be the first draft of “To Kill a Mocking Bird”. The author passed away a year after releasing the book.
This work certainly didn’t read like something released in 2015. Some of the themes presented aren’t in line with the revisionist version of history seen in contemporary fiction. Oddly enough, even though it was written well before my time, it makes a very timely and relevant point. Very few of us are willing to stop and listen to the other side, politically speaking.
The coming of age story is of note as well. I remember when my ex-wife finally cut the apron strings of her mother. It was a similar event of flashing anger and cursing. We were all the better for it after it happened but it wasn’t fun while it was happening. However, I don’t really think this is something everyone has to go through. I certainly hope my kids won’t have to come to that level of irritation before they realize they are separate people with their own path. I wonder if I’ve figured that out myself…
This book was only a couple hundred pages so it goes by fast. However, I didn’t really enjoy it. It sparked some reflection so it has some value but I don’t know it was worth the time and effort.
Released in 1996, The Notebook was a hit in the first week of release. Nicholas Sparks had written two other novels previously which were not and still not published. This book was pulled out of a “slush” pile and literary agent Theresa Park offered to represent Sparks.
Since then, it has been made into a major motion picture in 2004 and has even been adapted to a Bollywood film, “Zindagi Tere Naam”.
The Notebook is the quintessential chick flick. Maybe that’s the case for the book as well. I didn’t care for it. There was a number of times I stopped reading and asked myself, “What?” It makes little to no sense to me. Romance has it’s place and I like the idea of an elderly couple still in love. However, there were a few too many tropes and ridiculous notions for me to enjoy the book.
I didn’t enjoy the book. However, I did enjoy the movie. Perhaps it was because I was holding hands with someone through it. If forced to read the book again, perhaps holding hands with my wife would be the way to do it.
Published in 2019, “The Beautiful Ones” is the unfinished biography of Prince. As the introduction explains, Prince passed away before it was finished but not before he had written a good deal of the content and explained some of the vision for it.
The introduction felt as long as the book itself. I am not a fan of Prince in general and have paid little enough attention to his work. I didn’t know much about his life, who he was or what he stood for. Now I know a little bit of it.
I did unintentionally buy an album once thinking it was the 1989 Danny Elfman soundtrack to Batman. Unfortunately, I didn’t look close enough to the catalog and it was the soundtrack that Prince did for the same movie. It wasn’t that bad and it would have been work to return it so… That experience and this book will likely bookend my time thinking about the artist formerly and currently known as Prince. I’m ok with that.
Much like when I read Sting’s biography, I now think less of the artist.
Published in 2006, “Betrayal” is the first book in a series set in the Star Wars universe by Marc Thompson. This is set approximately 20 years after Return of the Jedi when Luke, Leia, Han, and so on are dealing with the next generation. Jacen Solo and Ben Skywalker are featured in this “non canonical” fan fiction.
Not a bad read. The feel was pretty on point of a Star Wars experience. It’s too bad the movies went the other direction in that Ben Skywalker and Jacen Solo merged and became Ben Solo. I may follow this series forward…
I’m on the fence at the moment. It wasn’t a bad read but I don’t like it wen the characters differ from the “official” line.
Published in 2014, “The Target” is the third book featuring hitman Will Robie. This time, he has to protect the interests of our country both domestically and abroad by doing the impossible and supporting another while doing it.
The same as last time, I enjoyed a good shoot ’em up book of the nearly invincible Will Robie. He is joined by his female equivalent and we are treated to see their North Korean superior.
A good book. Start the series at the first book or some of it won’t make any sense.
Published in 1960, “To Kill a Mockingbird” is a classic novel written by Harper Lee, set in the Depression-era South, which follows the story of Scout Finch, a young girl growing up in a small town in Alabama. The novel explores themes of racism, prejudice, and the loss of innocence, as Scout and her brother Jem, along with their friend Dill, become entangled in the trial of a black man accused of raping a white woman. Through the character of Atticus Finch, Scout’s father, the novel also examines the nature of courage, integrity, and the importance of standing up for what is right, even in the face of overwhelming opposition.
This is another book which was useful to re-read with more mature eyes. I certainly read it back in school but I didn’t remember any of it. It was well written and gives a vivid picture of what life was like some time ago. It’s important to revisit these to remind us of how ridiculous we can be. The world portrayed seems almost unbelievable by today’s standards.
You’ve likely read it before but you might want to read it again.
Published in 1967, “The Outsiders” is a story about teens growing up in rival gangs of different socioeconomic circumstances. The book deals with prejudice and shows how similar we all are.
A great book about how teens think and their troubles. It’s sad in a few ways but not the least in that, we humans, can find any reason to fight over just about anything. It’s certainly been the case throughout all of history and isn’t likely going to stop anytime soon.
A great read. It’s worth the time.
Published in 2013, The Hit is the next installment following the hitman Will Robie. He is asked to track down a fellow operative and eliminate her. However, when he comes to understand her perspective, will he be able to follow his orders?
A fun book, The Hit was another enjoyable shoot ’em up from the near invincible alpha male with a moral code. Ah, living vicariously…
If you like the action, read this book. However, make sure to read the first book “The Innocent” first.