Books I've Read
Books Listed by Author
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z All
The Sandcastle Girls
A writer discovers family history that she didn't know about, so she writes a book about the Armenian Genocide. Pretty good story.
Read:
2/2018
The Best Of Enemies
The Patriotic Day ceremonies in Concord go awry, while Charlotte tries to deal with her family. Good story, with a map!
Read:
10/2011
The Voyage Begun
Paul Vickers is the new boy in a small town, son of the head of a government scientific outpost on Cape Cod. The story takes place in the near future after ecological changes and pollution have killed off the fishing and tourism industry in the area. Good story. I wish the author had used more real place names in the story so I could visualize where the action takes place.
Read:
10/2011
Burma Rifles
A novel of Merrill's Marauders. A Nisei joins the army during World War II, is sent to Burma. Small amateur radio mention, his radio is smashed by "patriotic Americans" after Pearl Harbor.
Words I Had To Look Up:
L-4 plane (pg. 112) -- A light military aircraft based on the Piper J-3 "Cub".
they'll have the trails ambuscaded (pg. 123) -- To have ambushes set.
AN-PRC-1 radio (pg. 205) -- PRC-1/RT-30; Suitcase portable, HF, CW transmitter receiver. Built into a common suitcase, the PRC-1 was originally intended for use by the OSS in WW-II. It was however rejected as too heavy. Regardless, it saw extensive service with them and other Intelligence and Guerrilla forces. Ops 2-12mc in two continuously tunable bands, AM or CW (rec). Two bands with Xtal control, CW only (trans). RF power output is 30 watts. Size 18 x 13.25 x 17.25" 32lbs,OD color.From CONDENSED PRC RADIO DATA; by Dennis Starks.
Nambu (pg. 209) -- Sounds like the author is talking about a machine gun, of which Kijirō Nambu designed several. The only weapon I find bearing his name is a pistol.
Quote:
"Let's get some sleep," Jerry said.
Matsumoto rubbed his rifle-stock. "You know, my mother lives in Japan," he said gloomily.
"Be glad she's not a soldier," Jerry tried to joke.
"No, I guess she's all right. She lives a long way from Tokyo--just a little city. I guess she's a lot safer than I am."
"Where does she live?" Jerry asked.
"Hiroshima," Matsumoto said.-- (pg. 218)
Read:
4/2009
Cool Cat
Drugs and gangs snag the plans of four guys plans for making some bucks during the summer in L.A.
Read:
12/2010
The Ghost Front
Juvenile novel about the Battle of the Bulge, as experienced by twin American soldiers during the first days of their time on the front. Pretty good, seems pretty realistic, for a juvenile. Pub. in 1968. A map! A Discarded Book.
Read:
5/2007
War Beneath The Sea
Keith joins the submarine service during World War II. Realistic, pretty good stuff. Author lived in La Jolla.
Read:
5/2008
The Boy Inventors' Radio Telephone
First published in 1912, this may be a later edition, maybe 1929. An e-book from Project Gutenberg. A group of boys go to Yuma to start a search for a valuable mineral. Not a bad story. I wonder that they are going down river to search. Wouldn't that be into Mexico?
Read:
6/2022
Free For All: Oddballs, Geeks, And Gangstas In The Public Library
An assistant librarian recounts his experiences at a branch of the Bay City Public Library. I've read this book before, don't know why it is not logged. Lots of cussing. Favorite chapter was about Michael and Rebekah. Last paragraph of their chapter, I'm in tears.
Read:
7/2010
If You're Reading This, It's Too Late
The further adventures of Cass and Max-Ernest thwarting the plans of the nefarious Masters Of The Midnight Sun in their search for the homunculus Mr. Cabbage Face.
Quote:
...wending its way through a forest of pale-trunked trees that flickered in and out of the shadows like an old black-and-white filmstrip... (pg. 232)-- Filmstrip? Flickering??Read:
1/2011
The Name Of This Book Is Secret
Cass, equipped her backpack full of survival supplies, is constantly predicting doom. With the passing of magician, doom arrives! Good story, some puzzles, some crypto, and a glossary of circus terms. Oh, and a magic trick!
Read:
5/2008
This Book Is Not Good For You
Cass and her friends investigate a plot to discover The Secret using chocolate.
Words I Had To Look Up:
Curate ut Valeatis (pg. 118) -- Take care that you fare well.
Read:
1/2011
Get The Picture:
Subtitle: A Mind-Bending Journey Among the Inspired Artists and Obsessive Art Fiends Who Taught Me How to See.
Here is what I got from this book, on how to see art:
1. Look at the art for at least five minutes. At least. Forty would be better. Four hours is not unheard of.
2. Find five things about it that catch your senses. Then find five more.
3. Then read the information sign about the piece. If you must.
That's what I got out of it!
Quote:
If you didn't, good luck unseeing it now. -- I never could see it!Quote:
The best art-history education I ever got was staring at art while Guggenheim.Read:
3/2024
A Treasury of Southern Folklore
I FINALLY FINISHED this 776 page book! It is NOT a page-turner! I could only read about 10 pages a day. Very interesting, in parts, not so much, in others. I am NOT READING the Western and New England compilations!
Read:
7/2007
Planet of the apes
A little different than the movie.
Read:
9/2004
Kitchen Confidential
Tony recounts the madcap life of a chef: sex, drugs, rock and roll, drugs, alcohol, and more drugs. Interesting, funny in parts, disgusting in others. Will read his other books. Two references to Lou Reed/Velvets.
Read:
11/2002
Moonwar
Ok, let's get started: Reminded me of Heinlein's "The Moon Is Harsh Mistress". Page 296, "We should have this kloodge put together...". Shouldn't that be "kludge"? Page 317, "Main buss has cut out." My dictionary sez "bus". "Buss" is a brand name for fuses, I think. Page 296 again, "I've saved this freak for private conversations." I don't like "freak", but I found a dictionary that sez it's ok. I like "freq." instead.
QUOTE:
"Yep, I'm absolutely, positively certain. I might be wrong, but I'm sure." BONUS QUOTE:
"I remember a professor of mine saying that if something scratches or bites, it's biology; if it stinks or pops, it's chemistry; and if...it doesn't work, it's physics."Read:
1/1999
My Favorites: A Collection Of Short Stories
I enjoyed all the stories in this book very much, and gave it five stars because, darn it, I'd read it again!
Quote:
"A Catholic, a Jew, and a Muslim are stuck in the middle of Mars," said Rashid Faiyum.
"That isn't funny," Jacob Bernstein replied wearily.
Patrick O'Conner, the leader of the three-man team, shook his head...Quote:
"...When, in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes..." -- Hey, that's familiar!Quote:
At that instant we felt a slight lurch. Spacecrafts don't lurch, not unless something bad has happened to them ...Read:
4/2024
Powersat
Terrorists eventually use Dan Randolph's power generating satellite in an presedential assa....crap, too many big words. Technothriller. Sort of Clancyish.
Read:
7/2005
Return To Mars
Sequel to "Mars". Good story.
Read:
3/2000
20 books displayed
[Babbit - Baker] [Baldacci - Barnard] [Barnard - Barnes] [Barnes - Barr] [Barr - Beanton] [Beanton - Beaton] [Beaton - Beaton] [Beaton - Belushi] [Belzer - Block] [Block - Block] [Block - Bodett] [Bohjalian - Bova] [Bova - Brink] [Briody - Buck] [Buckell - Bujold] [Bujold - Bythell]