Coulda been a contendah...

The Long Home - William Gay

Audiobook. Soooo disappointed after reading his other tome Twilight. A few good set pieces to open, but an underwhelming climax. Forgettable.

thrilling.... just thrilling...

Pandora in the Congo
Albert Sánchez Piñol

What a ride! A romp in the jungle with a writerly wink. Twists, turns, gasp inducing elucidations.... I still don't know what hit me - but I know this was a 10 out of 10 and I can't wait to forget what happened so I can read it again. Indiana Jones on safari and speed.

France in the 1940's - depressing as depressing can be - but it does make for a good novel

Just read this review on Amazon: "Unfortunately, the horrors of the Second World War are not described with the clarity or power present in his earlier book."

This is the first Sebastian Faulks book I've ever read - I know this is the third of an acclaimed "France" trilogy for him. I found this book to be similar to Black Dogs by Ian McKewan in that it just presses on you like a heavy hand on your head. It's more like living, or trying to live, day to day in a terrible war zone. You try to get by - you may laugh some days, you may laugh every day. It doesn't take away from the horrors of war; they are always present.

I loved the book - it will never win the Booker Prize, but it's a great story that for some women and men held more "truth" than the great war stories of the time, of which there are many.

Bruen's Brant...

Vixen - Ken Bruen
Calibre - Ken Bruen

I revel in the dark dark despair that Bruen's Jack Taylor lives in, so decided to give his Brant novels a shot. Not as dark, not as daring, and not as good (for my taste.) More McBainish procedural type shite. Well written (of course) but just not enough moments of ohmyeffinggod that Taylor gives me. I'll go back to Taylor and let Brant walk his beat on his own.

Outlander Series -- I've eaten them up like Cheetos (more of a salty person, ye ken?)

All by Diana Gabaldon who has a great home page: www.dianagabaldon.com

Dragonfly in Amber: Second in the series - I found it a little awkward at first. I think Gabaldon might have had trouble understanding how to write this "first" second book in a series and felt that she had to repeat a lot of things. It's a segue book, but what a great tale - it's very necessary to the series.

Voyager: Awesome -probably one of my favorite books in the series - don't want to give too much away, but I literally had dreams about this book while I was reading it.

Drums of Autumn - This one was good, not as good as Voyager. Perhaps that was the problem. I did really enjoy the "new" characters and I could see that she was turning, by necessity, in a new direction to keep the series moving.

The Fiery Cross - An enjoyable book - I really love all of the bits about America in the beginning. This book might have been my least favorite though - I read it because I'm in love with all of the characters.

A Breath of Snow and Ashes - I think this could have been one of the final ones. I'm surprised she's written another, but I'm sure the publisher can't let this go. It was very enjoyable - I remember it fondly, but, just not the spark as the first 3-4. How can you sustain something like this? I'm not sure it's possible. I'd like to see a new book from her with new characters. She could even re-hash the time-travel. Gabaldon's a fantastic storyteller - I can't wait to read new things by her!