“Have you read any good books, lately?”
My first impulse is always, “No. I only read real corkers and I want to tell you all about them.” But then good sense takes over and I try to tailor my answer to the occasion. Imagine my surprise when Jon recently asked if I read any books I really enjoyed and would I share them? I started thinking of my recent reading list. I enjoy all my selections for one reason or another, but enjoy enjoy? I pondered this and finally came away with my answer.
It’s those books that you decide you can work tomorrow on four hours of sleep, you’ve done it before. Three hours is doable, wait. . . do I have any sick days left? Those books.
In random order this is what I offer:
2sistersTWO SISTER OF BORNEO by Ian Hamilton. I came late to the Ava Lee series so I read these as a reward instead of plowing through. I’m not sure what it is I love about the books. The characters? Ava’s a strong, intelligent woman. The settings? Mystical East, exotic locations. Clean clear writing with just enough action to satisfy. Yes to all.
Dr. DOA by Simon R. Green. A Secret Histories Novel. The Drood family has safe guarded our world from all the uglies and horrors. Eddie Drood, a.k.a. Shaman Bond, spy with a heart and conscience is at this moment not in this world? Why? Dr. DOA is working his nefarious plans. Each book in the 10 book series is a clever salute to Ian Fleming and his creation James Bond. Walking on the sci-fi side for these. Mr. Green is also the creator of the Nightside series, woo-hoo.
REDEMPTION ROAD by John Hart. I’ve never read this author before but I will find more. In a nameless and economically depressed city in North Carolina evil lives and multiplies. Through all the duplicity and corruption one officer tries to navigate. She has huge and weighty baggage of her own that only serves to complicate finding the truth. Once you find the answers what are you going to do with them??
A Hero of France by Alan Furst. A cell of the French resistance in Paris is working to save downed allied airmen. Moving them to safety and then back to England. The story centers on Mathieu and the Nazi attempt to find and stop him at all costs. Fast paced, intelligent and passionate.
For the family vacation read aloud or intelligent fun on hot summer afternoon or to look really cool to the 10 – 14 year old crowd may I recommend: Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s LIBRARY and the sequel Mr. Lemoncello’s LIBRARY OLYMPICS by Chris Grabenstein. Chocked full of book titles, puzzles, and games along with humor, action and suspense. Have you read all the books, they are clues you know? Can you fit the puzzles together? It’s a grand time. Then visit http://www.chrisgrabenstein.com/kids/escape-from-mr-lemoncellos-library.php
Enjoy what you read, Love Penny