Play Dead by Harlan Coben (1/1/2010)

Harlan Coben wrote this book when he was 19 and 20 years old, as an undergrad in college.  The values, perspectives, hormones, and perspectives of a 20-year-old shine through the fantastic (though somewhat melodramatic) plotting and dialog.  It's always great to catch up on the early works of a good writer.I really enjoyed this book, despite the terrible, cardboard 2-D characters. In particular, the end is well-crafted and well-edited. 5/5 Stars.

Holly by Stephen King (2023)

I am very grateful to live in a time when Stephen King is still writing new, thrilling books that are so carefully and skillfully crafted. The universe is conspiring to make me happy.  5/5 Stars.

Der Prozess von Franz Kafka (1925)

\

Ich habe dieses Buch langsam gelesen, weil mir die Prosa und der Stil gefallen haben. Die bürgerlichen und sozialen Interaktionen sind schrecklich, frustrierend und erschreckend. Die Hauptfigur K hat gesunden Menschenverstand und stellt unschuldige, vernünftige Fragen. Der Dialog und die detaillierte Darstellung der Bewegungen, Ereignisse und Schauplätze sind fantastisch. Die Geschichte ist natürlich sehr deprimierend. 4/5 Sterne.

Yesterday's Spy by Tom Bradby (2022)

An "impulse borrow" from the library the last time I was there, this book reads like a James Bond film script set in 1953.  The author really should have availed himself of professor Amanat's fantastic history book; he made some blunders about the leaders and factions in the 1953 chaos in which the story takes place. But the thriller aspects of the story were fun and it was wildly entertaining, despite how depressing the situation was. 3/5 Stars.

Silos, Politics, & Turf Wars by Patrick Lencioni (2006)

It's another interesting story; however the "model" (prescriptive methods of overcoming the problems), is not (at all) appropriate to my own situation; so I was disappointed. 3/5 Stars.

This is my God by Herman Wouk 2nd ed. (1992)

Here is another book I found on the shelf of one of my children whose former-bedroom is now my home office. I did not get most of this information in my own education or research, so this overview was very helpful to me personally.  I do not recommend the book for folks whose mom is not Jewish. 3.5 Stars.

The rise of the Wobos

I sometimes read transcripts of, or listen to Yascha Mounk's interviews.  His latest interview is with New York TImes columnist David Brooks.  Mr. Brooks is hawking his latest book. Among the interesting topics discussed by Dr. Mounk and Mr. Brooks is the rise of the "Woke Bourgeois," (WoBos).  Some find our current geopolitical situation analogous to the conditions that led to the 12 million Ukrainians murdered by Stalin (see Live Not by Lies and the Netflix Film "Mr. Jones."

Heaven's Bowl by Larry Niven and Gregory Benford

I read this book in 2013 and did not like it; I don't think I read the rest of the trilogy. I pulled the hardback off the shelf and re-read it.  I still don't like the book but I do intend to read the rest of the trilogy this time. 3/5 Stars.

14 by Peter Clines (2012)

This odd horror / mystery story is well-crafted and fun.  Clines' use of the H.P. Lovecraft's magic system is consistent and extremely well done. I was completely engrossed and trying to solve the mystery. Recommended. 5/5 Stars.

Lords of Uncreation by Adrian Tchaikovsky (2023)

A decent ending that ties up all the loose ends of the trilogy. The unspace magic system and inhabitants is a little bit too contrived in the final reveal at the boss level, though.  Fun story, 4/5 Stars.