Thought for the Day

"A book is a garden you can carry in your pocket. "

Arabian proverb

Review "Simple Genius" by David Baldacci

"Simple Genius" is the latest Baldacii book involving the characters from "Split Second" and "Hour Game."

This book is the story of the two ex-Secret Service agents who investigate the death of a genius researcher who was found dead at Camp Peary (better known as the CIA's Training Farm.) Like the other books in this series it is entertaining with lots of action but the plot and characters are thin. Baldacci attempts to pull a Michael Crichton in this book and talk about cutting edge new technology and how it will change the world but he lacks Chrichton's ability to clearly explain how these items will impact the common person. The main characters lack any depth and didn't gain any in this book. And the plot had few gaping holes in it.

So read it at the beach if you need something to mildly entertain you. But if you like books with more intellectual rigor then don't bother.

Thoughts on Sons of Famous Authors Continuing their Father's Works

Once again we are faced with this situation - the son of a great author has written a book based in his father's literary world and based on his father's 'outline' or 'notes' or 'rough draft.' We have seen this before in the Dune works of Brian Herbert and now we must face the book written by the son of J.R.R. Tolkien - "The Children of Hurin" by Christopher Tolkien.

Like Brian Herbert, Christopher Tolkien claims that the work is not completely his own but mostly his fathers. In the case of the Dune books a reader could tell a real difference - how great will the difference be in "Hurin"?

I have decided to re-read the "Silmarilion" first and then read "Children of Hurin." I am doing this because I haven't read the "Silmarilion" in 10-15 years and because I know that "Hurin" relates to events of roughly the same time period.

What do you think? Should sons be allowed to continue their fathers' works? Or are they merely collecting a fast dollar while standing on the shoulders of giants?

What am I reading?

I am currently reading "Simple Genius" by David Baldacci.

Like most of his books it is quick and easy to read, somewhat violent and normally entertaining.

Excerpt from "Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss

http://www.patrickrothfuss.com/content/books.asp


This link goes to the author's website where he has some excerpts from the book..... a taste of how excellent his writing is.....

Review "Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss

I have just finished reading "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss. "Name" is the first major book by Rothfuss and the first in a series.

"Name of the Wind" is the story of a man named Kvothe and the story of his life - from young traveling gypsy to a legendary wizard. Rothfuss has created an interesting world with memorable characters and true tension. When Kvothe is homeless and desperate on the streets of a city the author does a great job describing what life is like and how he survived.

This is by far the best new fantasy book I have read in years. I know how much I enjoyed the book because 1) I can't believe I have to wait a year for the sequel and 2) I could not put the book down during the second half. I cannot wait to see what happens next.....

In two years people will be talking about Patrick Rothfuss like they talk about Robert Jordan or Terry Goodkind - and he may be better than either one.

Truly a must read if you like this kind of book!

Re-reading a series

If a new book is coming out in a favorite series, do you go back and re-read the rest of the series first?

For most series that I really enjoy this is my normal procedure. When the next George R.R. Martin comes out, I will make sure that I have just finished re-reading the entire series. That way, I will remember every plot line and every subtle element, instead of thinking "Who is this guy and why is he doing this?"

This question relates most immediately to the summer release of the next (and final) Harry Potter book. I enjoy the series a lot and will probably re-read them all before the final book comes out..... so the only question is, "When do I start?" How far out before the release of the new book should I stop reading other stuff and start re-reading that series....

Thought for the Day

"Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.”


Shel Silverstein

Thought for the Day

“Read the best books first, or you may not have a chance to read them all”


Henry David Thoreau

What am I reading now?

I am currently reading "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss.

This is a new fantasy book by a first time author and it is excellent. I am about one third of the way through book and I find it hard to put it down!

I will wait until the end for the final verdict but as of now I can say this is the best new thing in fantasy in years........

Thought for the Day

Josey Wales: "Now remember, things look bad and it looks like you're not gonna make it, then you gotta get mean. I mean plumb, mad-dog mean. 'Cause if you lose your head and you give up then you neither live nor win. That's just the way it is. "

"The Outlaw Josey Wales" 1976

(still one of the best movies ever made)

Thought for the Day

"Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. Three times is enemy action."

- Auric Goldfinger, in "Goldfinger" by Ian L. Fleming (1908-1964)

Review "Lords of the North" by Bernard Cornwell

"Lords of the North" is the next book (but not the last) in Cornwell's excellent 'Saxon Chronicles' series.

This book continues the story of the Saxon warrior Uthred (born a Saxon, raised and trained by Danes) who has helped save the Kingdom of Alfred the Great. Now Uthred returns to Northumbria to confront the Danish warlords in control of that area. Set at a crucial intersection in British history - the Saxons vs. the Danes (vs the Scots), pagans vs. the Christians, every man with a sword for himself, this book is an entertaining story of how a kingdom was born in an unlikely manner.

Cornwell is one of the best current historical fiction writers - his works are carefully set into believable historical settings, with historically important characters - but they are unique and compelling stories on their own. If you enjoy hack and slash fantasy novels you will enjoy this series - if you enjoy historical fiction you will enjoy this series. This is a very enjoyable read.