The winner of the 2 First Watch Restaurant entrees was Mr. Kay, with the 2010 book Strip by Thomas Perry.
Mr. Kay says of Strip: "One of the rare books I did not finish. (It) had a potentially unique plot but the detached development of secondary characters brought the plot (to a halt) dead in the water."
Thank you to everyone who submitted a book title (and for the great comments as well!).
Next week: a drawing for 2 dinner specials from The Copper Rocket Pub!
Come on by and submit your book reviews!
Book reviews submitted for this week, in order of most-liked to least-liked:
Rated 5 out of 5 "watering pots":
Junkyard Dogs by Craig Johnson, reviewed by Mr. Kay: "To me they don't come any better than sheriff Walt Longmire and his extended 'family' in small town, Wyoming. It's like reading the year-end letter describing the activities of a large family of friends, then *bang* - it rises up and bites you in the a--, literally (a letter like Charlie Williford, in that respect). I can't recomment Craig Johnson high enough. Worth a trip to Vero at the end of the month to meet him!"
The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova, reviewed by Sarah.
This Body of Death by Elizabeth George, reviewed by Katie: "Excellent! Reminds me of her first few books. So good I couldn't put them down. The Body of Death is like that - I couldn't figure it out nor could I put it down!"
The Space Between Us by Thrity Umrigar, reviewed by Doris (two extra "watering cans"): This is a novel about Mumbai/ Bonbay, India. It revolves around a high-caste Zorastrian housewife and her illiterate Hindu maid. Their lives are entwined in the employer/employee relationship and in many other ways, but yet "there is a space between them." The book builds to a stunning climax that will make you want to read a sequel ---stay tuned!"
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larrson, reviewed by Mary Frances: "Great book, lots of intruigue. Also a commentary on Swedish society and sexual abuse of women."
The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga, reviewed by Doris: "Another tale of India, The White Tiger tells a dark, cynical story about the evolution of a nice villiage boy-Balram Halwai - son of a rickshaw puller - into an entrepreneur and cold-blooded killer. The White Tiger is a trip to the dark side of modern India - its corruption, poverty and graft, told with black humor. Puts a face on globalization."
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein, reviewed by Gail: "Enzo is a lab terrier mix born on a farm outside Seattle, Washington. He is bought by Denny Swift to ride shotgun with him in a race car as he pursues success on the track and off. Enzo tells the story as he reflects back over his life with Denny, his wife and daughter. Denny gets into some unbelievable situations, and Enzo is always his supporter, although a silent one. Enzo wants to be reborn as a man when he dies, and throughout the book, Enzo has so much to teach all of us about life."
61 Hours by Lee Child, reviewed by Gail: "Jack Reacher really got himself in a bind in this fast-paced men's adventure story. When a tour bus on which he bummed a ride skids off the road and crashes, Reacher finds himself in Bolton, South Dakota. A methamphetamine lab run by a very violent drug cartel has begun operating at an abandoned military facility in Bolton. Reacher helps the local cops figure out what is happening, with his military intelligence background being a great asset. The ending is a huge cliff-hanger."
A Brief History of Pakistan by Fawaz Gerges, reviewed by Alma.
Rated 4 "watering pots":
61 Hours by Lee Child, reviewed by Mr. K: "Typical Reacher book with more time allotted to introspection and establishing his back story, mostly below zero degrees Fahrenheit. An ambiguous ending, but you just know-----."
The Lion by Nelson Demille, reviewed by Mr. K: "The elite of the terrorist-based best-sellers. The terrorist is pure evil and the egocentric hero is dominant enough so you just know he won't fail. Add Demille's sharp sense of humor and the hero is able to carry the intervals when the terrorist is killing his prey and all his witnesses/helpers. If the hero is so smart, why did he amble cluelessly into the trap? To set up the bloody climax, why else? Excellent read!"
Rated 3 "watering pots":
You Are Not A Gadget by Jaron Lanier, reviewed by Jean: "Difficult for non-techies."
Duino Elegies by Rainer-Maria Rilke, reviewed by Jean: "Amazing and confusing and exhilerating. Poetry in translation is a problem, I think."
The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephanie Meyers, reviewed by Robin:: "Mildly entertaining - there are many more exciting books I would recommend over this"
The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau, reviewed by Sarah.
Deal Breaker by Harlan Coben, reviewed by Gail: "The first book in the Myron Bolitar series. Myron Bolitar is a sports agent and occasional investigator, who is one step from the big time. His prized client, Christian Steele, is a rookie quarterback also looking to become a prized football star. When Christian gets a phone call from a former girlfriend, a young woman everyone things is dead, including the police, the deal starts to go sour. Myron is suddenly thrown into a mystery of blackmail and sex. He is up against the dark side of his business - where image and talent make you rich, but the truth can get you killed."
Nowhere To Run by C. J. Bort, reviewed by Katie: "I enjoyed it - Joe Pichett is a game warden and he is always finding trouble."
Storm Prey by John Sandford, reviewed by Mr. Kay: "Lucas Davenport has lost his edge and has evolved into a ploy of cardboard characters and smart repartee. The series used to be seriously creepy but has sunk to mindless semi-action. It has more substance that Stuart Woods but headed that direction. (It's) still fun to read!"
Unrated (no "watering pots" circled)
Choke by Stuart Woods, reviewed by William.
Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters, reviewed by Joanne: "These stories of archaeologists in Egypt are always interesting, combining excavation adventures with mad-cap travels. This one is early in the series, when the two protagonists first meet, whereas all the other stories I've read of theirs were later, after they'd been married awhile. It was interesting that the epilogue told which parts of the story were historically accurate and what was changed to suit the story."
Who Killed Daniel Pearl by Bernard-Henri Lévy, reviewed by Alma
Double Comfort Safari Club by Alexander McCall Smith, reviewed by Joanne: (MP3 version) "The book was terrific, as these #1 Ladies Detective Agency stories always are. Riveting from beginning to end, and this one includes travel to a part of Botswana we've never visited before. I looked it up on a map - way up north in the lake district with hippos and lions - oh my! Great story and as usual everything works out fine in the end."
Getting the Pretty Back by Molly Ringwald, reviewed by Annette.
Book reviews submitted for this week, in order of most-liked to least-liked:
Rated 5 out of 5 "watering pots":
Junkyard Dogs by Craig Johnson, reviewed by Mr. Kay: "To me they don't come any better than sheriff Walt Longmire and his extended 'family' in small town, Wyoming. It's like reading the year-end letter describing the activities of a large family of friends, then *bang* - it rises up and bites you in the a--, literally (a letter like Charlie Williford, in that respect). I can't recomment Craig Johnson high enough. Worth a trip to Vero at the end of the month to meet him!"
The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova, reviewed by Sarah.
This Body of Death by Elizabeth George, reviewed by Katie: "Excellent! Reminds me of her first few books. So good I couldn't put them down. The Body of Death is like that - I couldn't figure it out nor could I put it down!"
The Space Between Us by Thrity Umrigar, reviewed by Doris (two extra "watering cans"): This is a novel about Mumbai/ Bonbay, India. It revolves around a high-caste Zorastrian housewife and her illiterate Hindu maid. Their lives are entwined in the employer/employee relationship and in many other ways, but yet "there is a space between them." The book builds to a stunning climax that will make you want to read a sequel ---stay tuned!"
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larrson, reviewed by Mary Frances: "Great book, lots of intruigue. Also a commentary on Swedish society and sexual abuse of women."
The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga, reviewed by Doris: "Another tale of India, The White Tiger tells a dark, cynical story about the evolution of a nice villiage boy-Balram Halwai - son of a rickshaw puller - into an entrepreneur and cold-blooded killer. The White Tiger is a trip to the dark side of modern India - its corruption, poverty and graft, told with black humor. Puts a face on globalization."
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein, reviewed by Gail: "Enzo is a lab terrier mix born on a farm outside Seattle, Washington. He is bought by Denny Swift to ride shotgun with him in a race car as he pursues success on the track and off. Enzo tells the story as he reflects back over his life with Denny, his wife and daughter. Denny gets into some unbelievable situations, and Enzo is always his supporter, although a silent one. Enzo wants to be reborn as a man when he dies, and throughout the book, Enzo has so much to teach all of us about life."
61 Hours by Lee Child, reviewed by Gail: "Jack Reacher really got himself in a bind in this fast-paced men's adventure story. When a tour bus on which he bummed a ride skids off the road and crashes, Reacher finds himself in Bolton, South Dakota. A methamphetamine lab run by a very violent drug cartel has begun operating at an abandoned military facility in Bolton. Reacher helps the local cops figure out what is happening, with his military intelligence background being a great asset. The ending is a huge cliff-hanger."
A Brief History of Pakistan by Fawaz Gerges, reviewed by Alma.
Rated 4 "watering pots":
61 Hours by Lee Child, reviewed by Mr. K: "Typical Reacher book with more time allotted to introspection and establishing his back story, mostly below zero degrees Fahrenheit. An ambiguous ending, but you just know-----."
The Lion by Nelson Demille, reviewed by Mr. K: "The elite of the terrorist-based best-sellers. The terrorist is pure evil and the egocentric hero is dominant enough so you just know he won't fail. Add Demille's sharp sense of humor and the hero is able to carry the intervals when the terrorist is killing his prey and all his witnesses/helpers. If the hero is so smart, why did he amble cluelessly into the trap? To set up the bloody climax, why else? Excellent read!"
Rated 3 "watering pots":
You Are Not A Gadget by Jaron Lanier, reviewed by Jean: "Difficult for non-techies."
Duino Elegies by Rainer-Maria Rilke, reviewed by Jean: "Amazing and confusing and exhilerating. Poetry in translation is a problem, I think."
The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephanie Meyers, reviewed by Robin:: "Mildly entertaining - there are many more exciting books I would recommend over this"
The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau, reviewed by Sarah.
Deal Breaker by Harlan Coben, reviewed by Gail: "The first book in the Myron Bolitar series. Myron Bolitar is a sports agent and occasional investigator, who is one step from the big time. His prized client, Christian Steele, is a rookie quarterback also looking to become a prized football star. When Christian gets a phone call from a former girlfriend, a young woman everyone things is dead, including the police, the deal starts to go sour. Myron is suddenly thrown into a mystery of blackmail and sex. He is up against the dark side of his business - where image and talent make you rich, but the truth can get you killed."
Nowhere To Run by C. J. Bort, reviewed by Katie: "I enjoyed it - Joe Pichett is a game warden and he is always finding trouble."
Storm Prey by John Sandford, reviewed by Mr. Kay: "Lucas Davenport has lost his edge and has evolved into a ploy of cardboard characters and smart repartee. The series used to be seriously creepy but has sunk to mindless semi-action. It has more substance that Stuart Woods but headed that direction. (It's) still fun to read!"
Unrated (no "watering pots" circled)
Choke by Stuart Woods, reviewed by William.
Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters, reviewed by Joanne: "These stories of archaeologists in Egypt are always interesting, combining excavation adventures with mad-cap travels. This one is early in the series, when the two protagonists first meet, whereas all the other stories I've read of theirs were later, after they'd been married awhile. It was interesting that the epilogue told which parts of the story were historically accurate and what was changed to suit the story."
Who Killed Daniel Pearl by Bernard-Henri Lévy, reviewed by Alma
Double Comfort Safari Club by Alexander McCall Smith, reviewed by Joanne: (MP3 version) "The book was terrific, as these #1 Ladies Detective Agency stories always are. Riveting from beginning to end, and this one includes travel to a part of Botswana we've never visited before. I looked it up on a map - way up north in the lake district with hippos and lions - oh my! Great story and as usual everything works out fine in the end."
Getting the Pretty Back by Molly Ringwald, reviewed by Annette.
