Books I've Read
Recent Books
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
The Stingray Shuffle
Serge Storms, #5. Serge is still chasing that suitcase, and it takes him on a railroad trip from New York to somewhere in Florida, I forget exactly where.
Quote:
...and a fishing guide named Skip. -- A nod to Hiaasen?Quote:
"... Wait! Look! There's something shiny down there! Help me move these bales of dope."Quote:
"I'm glad I was never part of the drug culture," said Serge, loading an automatic pistol in his lap.
"This isn't about the drug culture--it's about women," said Lenny.Quote:
Serge raised up and exploded: "I did it my way!Quote:
"... As long as you know the gauge conversion, which happens to be three-point-five millimeters to the foot, the rest is easy..." -- I would have gone with scale conversion there. Read:
4/2024
Florida Roadkill
Serge Storms #1. Well, I learned these books were not published in chronological order, as Sharon and Coleman get killed in this one.
Dry Tortugas has an appearance in this one!
Quote:
...Bambi's first steps.Quote:
"Hi, I'm Seymour," he said, "but friends call me Coleman."Quote:
"It's hot as hell in here," griped the bass player. "Why can't we practice with the door open?"
"I told you, because of the noise complaints from the airport!" said the singer.Quote:
"That's a new one," said Serge.Read:
4/2024
Coconut Cowboy
Serge Storm, #19. Serge buys a Harley. We learn about sinkholes, a donkey and a hippo, and small town machinations.
Read:
4/2024
Pineapple Grenade
Serge Storms, #15. Serge tries prevent the assassination of a Latin American President. Plus other stuff.
Quote:
"The Canadians! Christ!"
"No shit. They scare the hell out of me," said Serge.Quote:
"Where's the rule that says you can't just unilaterally declare yourself a spy and snoop around for no reason?"Quote:
...in dim light that only came from the glowing bars and cocktail tables, fitted underneath with special diodes. -- "Special diodes"? What are those??? Quote:
"Federal agent!" Serge flashed his badge. "Open this room! Now!"
"No inglés." -- Why Felicia is right there, why doesn't she translate? Read:
4/2024
When Elves Attack
Serge Storms, #14. It's Christmas time in Florida. Will there be any snow this year?
Quote:
I stopped believing in Santa Claus when my mother took me to see him in a department store, and he asked for my autograph.
--SHIRLEY TEMPLEQuote:
"How about some ice cream? There's the food court."
"Jim, why do you always think a woman just needs ice cream to put her in a better mood?"
"It doesn't?"
"No, it's true. Where'd you see the ice cream parlor?"Quote:
"Last time you went the wrong way on the interstate. The semi missed us by inches."
"The traffic signs were confusing."
"'Do Not Enter,'" said Eunice. "Yeah that's a mystery for the ages."Read:
4/2024
Gator A-Go-Go
Serge Storms, #12. It's Spring Break time in Florida!
Quote:
"I've completely rededicated myself to a life of nonviolence."Quote:
A groggy Coleman startled. Another jab with the pistol. A loud groan. Coleman's eye blinked and stared into the barrel of a huge gun. He grabbed his heart. "Thank God! I was having a nightmare I was out of dope."Quote:
"I'm amazed at the level of thought," said Serge. "And yet you still put your shoes on the wrong feet."
Coleman looked down. "There's a difference?"Read:
4/2024
Into The Dark
Echo Falls, #3. It was a pretty good mystery to me!
Having dealt with military supply organizations I have doubts about the whole taking his weapon home with him thing. I lost a pair of pliers and they wouldn't let me out until I came up with another pair!
Quote:
That expression she heard from time to time, begging the question? Ingrid understood it at lastRead:
4/2024
Cadillac Beach
Serge Storms, #6. Serge wanders around looking for some jewels stolen several decades before. Possibly by his grandfather Sergio. Who seems a LOT like Serge! Story is told alternating between the 1960s and what ever the present time of the book is.
Quote:
Mrs. Lippowicz put her hands on her hips and looked sternly at her son. "Why can't you be more like your nice friend Serge?"
Serge turned to Lenny and grinned.Quote:
An empty plastic grocery bag from Publix billowed
out in the breeze and bounced across the street, a Florida tumbleweed.Read:
4/2024
Light From Uncommon Stars
First off, I enjoyed reading this pretty much. Especially the violin stuff, and donuts! This was the #2 for the 2022 Hugo. I read some comments about the book that showed me some problematic areas I had not thought about.
Quote:
There is a reason that most luthiers never let players see what they do to their instruments. They would faint. -- I've seen it on YouTube. Brutal!Quote:
Why was he taking shit from backward shits who had never even left their shitstain planet?Read:
4/2024