What are you reading this week of May 8, 2016?

[hermetic]

At last, The Power of the Dog by Thomas Savage. I just started it last night and I already find his writing quite evocative.

Yesterday I also started listening to Requiem for an Assassin by Barry Eisler. Since this is the 6th novel in a series I guess I should have read some of the earlier ones first. But it's okay for something to listen to as I go about my chores.

Totally off topic, I found at the library a 4 DVD set of Mystery Science Theater 3000. Volume XXIV. Had to get it. It's been so many years since I saw that show but it is still loaded with lols, timeless humor.

Happy Mother's Day to those of you who are, also to those who have or had one. I realize this day can be different for everyone.

What are your choices for this week?

[CurtEastPoint]

1. Plainsong, by Kent Haruf

You get hooked.

[TexasProgresive]

2. "The Yellow Jersey" by Ralph Hurne

This is a classic novel of a 37 year old man who ends up in the Tour de France. That alone is against all odds. He has a history of being a Don Juan, but then he meets Bobby a 19 year old New Zealander on her gap year in Belgium. I haven't gotten to the part where he enters Le Tour but I know it's coming.

If you've ever watched bicycle racing on TV and was a bit lost as to the tactics this book can help. It's not just one person on a self powered machine powering him/herself over the finish line first. Hurne weaves the intricacies of various types of racing seamlessly into the story.

[Paper Roses]

3. Taking a week off from exciting reading. Have so many books, don't know what to do.

Today, reading a simple Evanovich book. Fun for a few chuckles.

I need a new Lee Child 'Reacher' book. Next one not due until fall. I've read all 20 of them. Still looking for the short stories, can
not seem to find them at my 'used book store'.

Any other 'Reacher' fans on DU?

I guess I am in the minority. Just listed 70 great books on our local 'yard sale 'group. $25.00 for the lot! I saved all of these to read again some time. Bookcase overflowing!! All well known contemporary authors. Maybe no-one has time to read any more. No replies. Phooey!

[TexasProgresive]

5. I've only read one

It was very good and keep my attention all the way through. I don't remember the title but Jack was hitchhiking with duck tape on his broken nose. Who would stop to give a ride to a gorilla of a man with duck tape on his face? 2 men and a woman did. It was A Wanted Man.

Mr. Child's vivid description of Reacher made me laugh when I saw that diminutive Tom Cruise was playing Jack in a movie.

[Paper Roses]

6. Forget about Tom Criuse. He does not really portray Reacher!

Reacher is 6'5", Tom is about 5"4". It is hard to transfer the vision of Reacher to Tom Cruise. After reading a book or two, you can see the vision of Reacher is far different than the Cruise movie.

Hit your local bookstoreI go to my used bookstore) and find more of the books. I have another site than lists the books in order of publication date. It is suggested that a new reader start as close to the beginning as possible. Then stages of Reacher's life change. Military and civilian...all worth d reading! Take a look at the list on the link provided.
These books are fantastic. I can't imagine where Lee Child comes up with the stories. All great, all different.

http://www.leechild.com/images/uploads/Lee-Child-Bibliography.pdf

[TexasProgresive]

7. I agree with you 100% about reading in sequence.

It is really something to see the character development as the author becomes more acquainted with this person that came out of their imagination. For me a good novel has to be a good story peopled by characters that, will to use a word from HS English, verisimilitude. It is nice when they are likable but that is not necessary, they just must not be 2 dimensional.

[Enthusiast]

4. Hello everyone! Happy Mother's Day to all our fiction reading mothers!

Thank you for the thread, hermetic! I'm glad you are reading the very unusual The Power of the Dog.

This past week I finished The Ploughmen by Kim Zupan. This was another really unusual book. Kim Zupan is highly creative. I judge The Ploughman to be excellent. Thank you for turning us on to The Ploughman, japple!

Now I'm reading Milk and Honey by Faye Kellerman. This sure is a good read, the third in the Decker series.

Mrs. Enthusiast is still reading False Prophet by Faye Kellerman, the fifth book in the Decker series.

[japple]

8. Still reading Remember Ben Clayton by Stephen Harrigan

and enjoying it very much. Haven't had quite as much time to read lately as cat rescue and gardening are both in full swing.

Glad you are reading The Power of the Dog, hermetic. I am glad it is available at the library on e-books so I can check it out again. It is one that I would like to read again.

Happy (belated) Mother's Day to moms, non-moms, dog moms, cat moms, fish and bird moms, and esp. to those who help other moms to raise happy, well-adjusted children.

Edit to add: I am thankful that my (late) mom gave me a healthy love of reading. She would take us to the library at the army base or the public library and let us check out as many books as we could carry. I remember bringing in huge stacks of books every 2 weeks. Same for my sister and brother.