This book is well worth reading. Steve Benen explains how the Republican party stopped governing and became the post-policy party it is today. Benen'sThis book is well worth reading. Steve Benen explains how the Republican party stopped governing and became the post-policy party it is today. Benen's analysis is thorough and quite good. I don't entirely understand what motivates all of the Republicans in office, but building something and doing good work for their constituents is definitely not it....more
This is a quick and fun read. Mark and Erin are on a honeymoon that's wonderful until it's not. Very strange things happen, and the couple has to naviThis is a quick and fun read. Mark and Erin are on a honeymoon that's wonderful until it's not. Very strange things happen, and the couple has to navigate their way through. I enjoyed the mystery as told through Erin's eyes. Mark was an annoying character really early on. The first time he called Erin stupid should have been her last day in that relationship. And then he did it again. I lost patience with Erin also when she kept allowing Mark's gaslighting. Overall, It's been a while since I read a book this quickly, and I was entertained even though I predicted some of the outcome. Also, I really want a huge amount of money to fall into my lap....more
I read this book a year or two ago, and just recently read it again on audio. I really loved it on audio. The cast of characters in this story is longI read this book a year or two ago, and just recently read it again on audio. I really loved it on audio. The cast of characters in this story is long, but they are such great characters, My book group enjoyed the story and laughed through a fun discussion. Overall, the sense of how important community is in a person's life, that was the takeaway. Whether they are family or friends or neighbors, people show up for us and sustain us. This book is a lovely reminder of that. I especially loved the ants :) This book is the "One Book One San Diego" selection for 2025....more
This story is a satisfying murder mystery starring Holly Gibney, who starred in some previous books. I enjoyed the characters and found the plot compeThis story is a satisfying murder mystery starring Holly Gibney, who starred in some previous books. I enjoyed the characters and found the plot compelling. The narrator of the audiobook not only did an excellent job but can also really sing....more
I typically enjoy this author's stories steeped in southwest Florida environment, and I've spent a great deal of time in Sanibel, but I really didn't I typically enjoy this author's stories steeped in southwest Florida environment, and I've spent a great deal of time in Sanibel, but I really didn't enjoy his new female character. Nothing wrong with Hannah herself as an idea, but the writing felt so off. I think maybe Randy Wayne White should stick to male characters like Doc Ford and Tomlinson, they are wonderfully fun. I just found all of the women in this story impossible to believe. The description of each woman by her bra size or how her breasts move in her clothing and pathetic body thoughts, I hated it. Where was RWW's editor??...more
This story blew me away. It took me by complete surprise and then did it again. Set in 1961 in the Netherlands. Isabel and Eva are beautifully imagineThis story blew me away. It took me by complete surprise and then did it again. Set in 1961 in the Netherlands. Isabel and Eva are beautifully imagined women with complex personalities and backgrounds. They truly come to life in this gorgeous and unusual tale. The prose is so lovely. I highly recommend the book....more
I enjoyed this page-turner starring FBI Agent Atlee Pine. She's a bad-ass lady, I love that in a protagonist. The story is far-fetched, but I try not I enjoyed this page-turner starring FBI Agent Atlee Pine. She's a bad-ass lady, I love that in a protagonist. The story is far-fetched, but I try not to let that deter me. I'm going to go ahead and read the next book....more
This is an odd tale that kept my interest possibly due to the intriguing writing style and the uniqueness of the plot falling at the unlikely intersecThis is an odd tale that kept my interest possibly due to the intriguing writing style and the uniqueness of the plot falling at the unlikely intersection of eco-activism/spy/paleoanthropology. Huh? Really, a weird intersection, but I'm interested in all these things, so I kept reading. The climax of the tale is way late in the book and was not incredibly climactic, but it was amusing as it was a bit of a surprise to both me and the narrator/protagonist. I enjoyed the voice of the protagonist -- she's calm, driven, impassive, and patient, skilled at being undercover. This is definitely not a story for everyone....more
This is a sweet story that is really 2 stories. Flo is an American living in Tokyo and translating books into English. Her love life has fallen apart This is a sweet story that is really 2 stories. Flo is an American living in Tokyo and translating books into English. Her love life has fallen apart and she's unhappy. The other story is about a grandmother who starts getting to know her grandson when he comes to live with her and study for college entrance exams. This is the story in a book that Flo is working to translate. I found 2nd story captivating. I love Japan and often fall in love with a well-told tale that evokes the beauty of the culture. This story definitely did that. Flo's story is not so interesting because there is little character development, but overall the entire book is lovely and memorable....more
This is a powerful work based on the life of an inmate in a Norwegian prison, told in the first person. The inmate is Pakistani/Norwegian, raiseUnique
This is a powerful work based on the life of an inmate in a Norwegian prison, told in the first person. The inmate is Pakistani/Norwegian, raised partly in both countries but never feeling fully at home in either. As he gets more serious about Islam, he becomes fascinated with Assad's war in Syria against rebels and decides to go become part of the rebel forces. He and a friend drive from Norway to Syria, where each becomes part of the conflict in his own way. This is a really fascinating inside view of the conflict in Syria and what might drive a young man to become a part of it, as a warrior for Allah....more
This book, even more so than the first book, was an absolute page-turner. Frank is in a pretty tough situation, being alone on Mars and having an evilThis book, even more so than the first book, was an absolute page-turner. Frank is in a pretty tough situation, being alone on Mars and having an evil corporation as his only source of information. The NASA astronauts are coming and Frank needs to be ready. What happens once they arrive is fascinating, but no spoilers here. Great story. I hope there's a 3rd book coming?? Excellent hard sci-fi with lots of thrilling mystery....more
I'd give this a 4.5 if I could. It was a hard sci-fi page-turner and got me through a trans-Atlantic flight. The science was really decent, and I loveI'd give this a 4.5 if I could. It was a hard sci-fi page-turner and got me through a trans-Atlantic flight. The science was really decent, and I loved the references to previous Mars books/movies. The main character, Frank, is a flawed but truly likeable guy. The premise, that convicts serving life sentences who have certain key skills are recruited to be the first people on Mars, to set up a Mars base, is brilliant and naturally leads to some interesting characters and situations. I thought the email messages peppered throughout the book were a great method of providing more depth and background. I loved it and immediately went on to the next book, No Way....more
This was a fascinating read, my first book from this author. Life in this small town, so idyllic but also not perfect and with a seedy side, is laid oThis was a fascinating read, my first book from this author. Life in this small town, so idyllic but also not perfect and with a seedy side, is laid out in great detail with a sensitive eye. I loved his style and will look for more titles....more
