Billy Summers by Stephen King

Well-crafted, immersive, good story. 5/5 Stars.

Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel

Gripping, immersive, detailed life and times of Thomas Cromwell at a critical time in English history. Very long and detailed, 3/5 Stars.

Rescue by Ryk Brown

I need a reminder every few years why Ryk Brown is not worth reading, 2/5 Stars.

Crusade (Starfire book 1) by David Weber & Steve White

Interesting universe for a space opera with decent politics so far. Not Weber's best series 3/5 Stars.

Walk the Wire by David Baldacci

Not very good but enjoyable "thriller," 3/5 Stars.

In Fury Born by David Weber

Space opera in Weber's "Honor Harrington" style, lots of fun, 4/5 Stars.

8 Perfect Murders by Peter Swanson

I am uncomfortable with "unreliable narrator" stories but the plot and mystery of this one is interesting.  The casual psychopathy & sociopathy of most of the characters is also very uncomfortable. 3/5 Stars.

The Heilmeier Catechism

George H Heilmeier directed the United States Defense Advanced Research Project Agency from 1975 to 1977.  He created the following 9 questions for the agency and grant applications to evaluate research programs:

• What are you trying to do? Articulate your objectives using absolutely no jargon.
• How is it done today, and what are the limits of current practice?
• What is new in your approach and why do you think it will be successful?
• Who cares? If you are successful, what difference will it make?
• What are the risks?
• How much will it cost?
• How long will it take?
• What are the midterm and final "exams" to check for success?

These questions became known as the "Heilmeier Catechism" and we still use them.

Inhibitor Phase by Alastair Reynolds

Fantastic. 5/5 Stars.

The Year's Best Science Fiction 2002 19th annual collection ed. by Gardner Dozois

Many of the stories were very good and I had read very few of them so it was enjoyable. 4/5 Stars.